William "Bill" J. Ebert, Jr.,age 89, of rural Reedsville, entered eternal life on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at Countryside Manor in Sheboygan. Bill was born on September 29, 1923 in the town of Rockland, son of the late William Sr. and Aurella (Krueger) Ebert. He was a 1941 Reedsville High School graduate. On September 7, 1946, he married the love of his life Gertrude Berkholtz at St. John St. James Lutheran Church in Reedsville. Together they farmed near Reedsville. Bill built many houses in Brillion and Reedsville. He also sold John Deere equipment at Keller Equipment of Forest Junction and Wegner Implement of Denmark. Bill was an avid baseball player, playing hardball in the Manitowoc County League and the Northern State League. He was enshrined in the Lakeshore Sports Hall of Fame in 1979. Bill enjoyed attending and supporting Reedsville High School athletics. Bill believed education was very important. He served on the Reedsville High School Board of Education for 26 years, the last 10 years as president. He also served on the St. John St. James Lutheran School Board and Church Council. He was a founding member of the Rockea Hunting Club, as well as a member of the Reedsville Athletic Association and the Reedsville Sportsman's Club. Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Gertrude; one daughter, Nancy Boeck of Manitowoc; three sons, William Ebert III and special friend Diann Bonin of Reedsviile, Gregg (Kristi) Ebert of Necedah and David Ebert of Oconomowoc; eight grandchildren, Leah, Amanda (Dan), Jennifer (Mike), Jill (Glen), William IV (Tara), Micah (Jason), Lucas (Jayme) and Quinn; twelve great-grandchildren; one sister, Rosema Svatek of Minneapolis, MN; two sisters-in-law, Joanne Ebert of Brillion and Marie Berkholtz of Cape Coral, FL; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter-in-law, Sue Ebert, two sisters, Sylvia Ebert and Esther Ebert, two brothers, Carvel Ebert and Gerald Ebert; one-sister-in-law, Beatty Ebert, and two brothers-in-law, Adolph Svatek and Lester Berkholtz. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 18, 2013 at St. John St. James Lutheran Church in Reedsville. Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Timothy Nommensen with burial in the St. John St. James Westside Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the Wieting Funeral Home in Reedsville on (TODAY) Sunday, February 17, 2013 from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The visitation will continue at the church (TOMORROW), Monday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. The family would like to thank the staff at Lakeland Care, Hospice Advantage, and Countryside Manor for the special care shown to William. Dad, you always said to "make a difference" in this world. You definitely made a difference as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a dedicated leader in our community and church. Most importantly, you showed us how to "run the straight race" into Jesus' loving arms.
