Lulu Eberhard, 100, of Columbia City, died at 9:26 a.m. Sunday, December 7, 2008 at The Oaks Living Center where she had been a resident since January 1999.
She was born December 2, 1908 in Auglaize County, Ohio a daughter of Owen and Lillie (Hoffer) Buffenbarger. In 1911 her family moved to Whitley County where she attended the Thorncreek Center School and graduated from Columbia City High School in 1926. Her family moved into Columbia City in 1928.
She began her 16 year employment with Farmer’s Loan & Trust Company in 1927.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1943 she was united in marriage to Clarence F. Eberhard. They operated and resided on the 100 year old Eberhard Family farm just south of Columbia City. They read electric meters for the Whitley County REMC from 1976 until 1988. Mr. Eberhard died August 19, 1992.
She was a member of Eberhard Lutheran Church, where she served as church pianist/organist, member of church council for six years (the first woman to serve on council) and recording secretary until 1996, she also continued the publication of the church newsletter from 1976 until March 1996. A member of Whitley County Farm Bureau, she was the Farm Bureau Woman leader for Columbia Township in 1954 and was editor of the Whitley County Farm News until 1988 (received “Top Paper in District 2” award in 1975). A member of the Ruth Rebekah Lodge, she served in nearly all offices and received her 50 year pin in 1976.
She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter and five sisters, Daisy Cox, Florence Buffenbarger, Bertha Cox, Helen Beard and Lillie Kyler.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with Rev. Alice Smith, pastor of Eberhard Lutheran Church, officiating. The burial will be in Eberhard Cemetery. The visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
A twilight service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home by the Ruth Rebekah Lodge.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to Eberhard Lutheran Church or donor's favorite charity.