Barbara Eberstein

With her warm and approachable demeanor coupled with her servant’s heart, Barbara Eberstein was a stranger to none and a friend to all within the community she loved. She worked hard, was passionate about the people and things she loved, and was more than willing to help in ways both great and small. Blessed to share the best years of her life with her true love, Barb treasured time with her family and was filled with unspeakable joy to witness her family tree blossom to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed, but her friends and loved ones will forever hold her memory near and dear to their hearts.

The 1930s were largely defined by the Great Depression. The trials and tribulations were plentiful although the American spirit could still be seen as cities, communities, and families came together to weather the harsh reality together in whatever way they could. Despite the challenges around them, Verlyn and Wilma (Cooper) Kline were able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their own lives as they welcomed the birth of the baby girl they named Barbara L. on September 13, 1935, on their family farm in Prairie Ronde, Michigan. She was the middle of three girls in her family as she was raised alongside her older sister, Betty, and her younger sister, Janet. Barb’s father was a farmer while her mother supported her husband and tended to their home and family. Tragedy struck at a young age for Barb with the death of her mother when she was just a young girl of eight. From that point forward, she was primarily raised by her older sister. Barb’s father later remarried, and through that marriage her half-brother, Verlyn, Jr., was born. As a junior in high school, Barb moved in with the Pepperman family to help nanny their children. She later graduated from Schoolcraft High School in 1953.

Life was forever changed for Barb when she met the man with whom she would share the best years of her life. His name was Robert Eberstein, and he was the brother of one of her co-workers at the telephone company, Alice. They began dating, and the rest is history as they say. Deeply in love, Barb and Bob were married on February 19, 1954, in Angola, Indiana, marking the beginning of a new chapter in a love story that would span more than 60 years. She loved children, and together they raised their two sons, Mike and Dennis “Louie” in their home in Schoolcraft. Barb loved caring for her family and could often be found in the kitchen. She was a great cook, but she also loved to bake.

In addition to caring for her home and family, Barb was very active outside of her home. She worked at Krum’s in Schoolcraft and continued working there as the office manager when the business moved to Vicksburg and became Krum-Hallum Chevrolet. After more than 20 years there, Barb became the village clerk of Schoolcraft. Very community-minded, over the years she was part of the band parents, Jolly-Doers, and involved in the Schoolcraft Fourth of July parade. Barb even once helped with the election of Gary Brown, putting in numerous volunteer hours with that campaign. Together she and her husband loved traveling, and for a number of years Arizona was a frequent destination. Barb was also a whale lover.

She was a fun-loving, selfless lady, always giving hugs, and loved kids. She was very “crafty”, doing cross-stitch, sewing, crocheting, etc., and loved changing her recipes when she would bake. One thing for sure, you never left her house hungry. She also collected cookbooks, and loved her whale-watching on cruises.

We want to express our sincere thanks to the wonderful staff at Grace Heathcare of Michigan and SouthernCare Hospice Services for their wonderful tender-loving care of our mom.

With a journey that spanned times of great change in the world around her, Barbara Eberstein lived a life of purpose while holding her loves ones near and dear to her heart. She was engaging and had a warm and welcoming heart. Engaging and outgoing, Barb was the sort of person everyone knew and loved. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed.

Barbara L. Eberstein, of Schoolcraft went home to be with her Lord, Thursday, August 10, 2017. Barb is survived by two sons: Mike (Jeanne) Eberstein, of Schoolcraft and Dennis “Louie” (Laura) Eberstein, of Schoolcraft; ten grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. Barb is also survived by her sisters: Betty Dibble, of Vicksburg and Janet (Clair) Hardy, of Leonidas; brother and sister-in-laws: Bea Selbee, of Delton; Alice (Robert) Vanderveen, of Hasting; Jim (Donna) Eberstein, of FL; Max “Mike” (Jill) Eberstein, of Vicksburg. Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Bob in 2015; half-brother, Verlyn Jr; grandson, Joshua Neeb; and great granddaughter, Rashel. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, from 10-11 a.m. at the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at McKain Cemetery. Please visit Barb’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign the guestbook and share a memory and/or photo. Those who wish may contributions to the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church and/or charity of your choice in memory of Barb.