Michael W. Eberly

Michael W. Eberly, age 68, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2018 surrounded by loved ones. Michael’s life was defined by love—a love of baseball, art, lake life, and most of all, his family. Born in Toledo on December 6, 1949 to William and Catharine S. Eberly, Michael’s passion for baseball was sparked in his early years traveling with his family to a different town each summer where his father was the General Manager of minor league teams in the Brooklyn Dodger organization. He was also an avid softball player and was hoping for a Tigers run this year. From 1953 to 1965, Michael and family moved to Milwaukee when his father went to work for the Braves. He returned to Toledo in high school, graduating from DeVilbiss in 1968. He then graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor in Fine Arts, while also becoming the Ohio Intercollegiate 9-Ball Champion. After graduation, he began his career as a financial advisor, which spanned over forty years, most recently working with Wells Fargo Advisors—“‘Advisors’ not ‘Bank’”, as he would say. An artist at heart, he supported artists’ creativity as an owner of the Summit Street Studio, a downtown warehouse space that he turned into an artists’ loft. A 1992 article in The Blade about Michael touted his efforts to support the Toledo art community, saying “beneath the well-worn blue jeans and sweatshirt beats the heart of a Renaissance man, a Medici perhaps.” There is no doubt Michael appreciated the sentiment. Michael had a passion for advocacy and service that was shaped by his mother. He had a particular love for The University of Toledo’s Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women, his mother’s namesake. He served on the board as Ex Officio and took particular joy in participating in the scholarship committee. Michael’s tremendous heart was demonstrated in his desire to support every deserving student, and he personally donated to ensure this happened. President of the Board of the Loch Erin Lake Association, Michael was happiest on “golden days” at the lake, when he would sit in his chair with coffee in hand and come up with the next activity to have fun with his family, like the Annual Eberly Family Pumpkin Toss. Not everyone is able to create a slice of Heaven here on earth, but at the lake, Michael did just that. Michael is survived by his loving wife, Erika (née Just); his children, Sloan Eberly Mann (Peter), Chelsea (William) Westendorf, Cody, and Alexander; his brother, Steve (Christine) Eberly; his grandchildren, Noah Mann and Oliver Mann; his nephews, David (Jennifer) Eberly and Peter (Liz) Eberly; his step-mother, Elizabeth “Betty” Eberly; and his step-brothers and step-sisters. Visitation is Tuesday August 21st from 3 pm–8 pm with a memorial service the following day, Wednesday August 22nd at 10am. All services will be held at Walker Funeral Home (5155 W. Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, OH 43623). He will be laid to rest at Toledo Memorial Park at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Eberly Center for Women Scholarship Fund (Fund #2402440) can be made using this link: https://bit.ly/2wbxBgw. Go to the bottom left and Search All Funds for “Eberly” which will bring you to the page that allows for donations to this fund (you’ll find it at the bottom of the list). Or to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at https://bit.ly/2MYyGzB. Online condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com