Joseph William Eberly, 70, of Bowling Green, OH, died on March 19, 2023 of complications of liver cancer.
Mr. Eberly was born in Decatur, IL, to then Captain Charles W. Eberly and Avaleen (Gfell) Eberly and spent his early years as an “army brat” traveling to Fort Knox and Lexington Signal Depot, Kentucky; as well as Sacramento Signal Depot, California, and Pusan, Korea before returning to Fremont, Ohio where he graduated Fremont St. Joseph’s High School in 1970.
He attended Ohio University from 1970 to 1973. Following enlisted service with the United States Army Security Agency and 8th Infantry Division as a Russian Linguist and Electronic Warfare Specialist, graduating from the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, California. He was a recipient of the Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. He returned to Ohio University where he obtained degrees in Russian and International Relations.
Mr. Eberly joined the Central Intelligence Agency as a Field Operations Officer, in 1980, serving in Munich Germany from 1983 to 1989, with subsequent assignments across South Asia, East Asia the Middle East and Africa. Many places left an indelible mark on his life and family, but most notably was his travels in Asia: Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, India, Nepal, and Pakistan; the Middle East: Kuwait, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates; in Africa: Ethiopia, Egypt, and Eritrea; and Europe: United Kingdom, Iceland, West and East Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, Netherlands, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Norway, Belgium, and Greece. He left the Central Intelligence Agency in 1995 due to health complications and relocated with his children to his home town of Fremont, Ohio in 1996. After beginning studies at Bowling Green State University, he moved his children to Bowling Green in 1999.
He was married to Kathryn Dianne (Albright) Eberly from 1974 to 1998; divorcing in 1998.
Mr. Eberly was proceeded in death by his former spouse in 2017. He is survived by his daughter Andrea Leigh Eberly (Michael Roberts), Waldorf, Maryland; son, Nathan David & Blair Eberly, Sylvania, Ohio; son, Eric William & Suzanna Eberly, Bowling Green, Ohio; son, Bryan Michael Eberly (Bill Bee), Point Place, Ohio; and daughter Jessica Caitlin (Eberly) & Michael Gagen, Bowling Green, Ohio. He is also survived by a sister, Carol Anne (Eberly) Ellickson, of Great Falls, Virginia and brother John Charles Eberly of Philadelphia. Grandchildren include Anthony Stephen Bartolomeo, Jr. of the United States Marine Corps, Miramar, California; Carleigh Brooke Bartolomeo, Waldorf, Maryland and Reid William Eberly, Bowling Green, Ohio. He also leaves behind many loved nieces and nephews across the Eberly and Albright families.
Mr. Eberly’s hobbies and interests included a 60-year passion for stamp collecting, reading (extensively) including a century of National Geographics, foreign affairs, art, mentoring young artists, old cinema, and developing a comedic sense of humor which he was never afraid to share among others although his last days. His hope was that others would find joy in his friendship and connection – not face his departure with sorrow and mourning. He hopes all remember him with heartfelt memories and laughter from his unique ability to find humor, play on words, and comfort facing anxious and scary moments including the fight against his cancer and that we all will follow suit in conquering our own battles on forward.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials and donations be directed to Partners in Health in appreciation of his niece, Dr. Lauren Eberly (Dr. Ashwin Nathan) of Philadelphia, PA.
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled to allow family and friends to come together to honor his memory and impacts on all that he loved and that loved him. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dunn Funeral Home in Bowling Green.
To share an online condolence or fond memory with the family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
