Dorothy Elinor Eberlein

In Memory of Dorothy "Dottie" Elinor Eberlein
June 24, 1921 – January 13, 2019

Dorothy Elinor (Lange) Eberlein, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away at her home at Charter Senior Living of Bay City, on January 13, 2019 at the age of 97. Dorothy was born in Sebewaing, MI on June 24, 1921, the fifth of seven children born to Ferdinand and Martha (Schmitt) Lange.  A life long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing, she attended Immanuel's grade school and Sebewaing High School, graduating with the class of 1939. She went on to nursing school at Saginaw General Hospital graduating there as a registered nurse. In that capacity she served initially as a surgical nurse and then for many years in the medical practices of two successive M.D.'s in Sebewaing.

Dorothy met her late husband of 64 years, Arthur John George Eberlein in grade school at Immanuel and preserved and cherished an elaborate valentine he gave her back then. They were married on September 20, 1942, at Immanuel Lutheran Church and raised three children:  Michael Eberlein, Gretchen Becker, and Kathryn Pilarski.

Dorothy was devoted to her church and over the years sang in the choir, served as a Sunday School teacher, and assisted in assembly of the Sunday bulletins and newsletters. She enjoyed sewing and made many bibs and aprons for the residents of Bethesda Lutheran Home. She also enjoyed baking and gardening, reading and bird watching, traveling and listening to music.

Preceding Dorothy in death were all of her siblings: Lorna Ziegler, Walter Lange, Esther "Stars" Gremel, Elmer "Ike" Lange, Norman "Stump" Lange, and Frederick "Fritz" Lange; husband, Arthur John George Eberlein; daughter, Gretchen Becker; and daughter in law, Judy (Michael) Eberlein.

Dorothy is survived by her son, Michael, of Haslett; her daughter, Kathryn Pilarski and her son in law Robert Pilarski of Bay City; and her son in law Robert Becker of Unionville. Also surviving Dorothy are 11 grandchildren: Kyra (Eberlein) Cavanaugh of Park Ridge, IL; Elissa (Eberlein) O'Donoghue of Enniscorthy, Ireland; Benjamin Eberlein of Royal Oak, MI; Andrew Bennett of Haslett, MI; Brian Becker of Bay City, MI; Eric Becker of Sebewaing, MI; Cary Becker of Unionville, MI; Arden Becker of Howell, MI; Brent Pilarski of Bay City, MI; Jill (Pilarski) Bowen of Bay City, MI; and Jeffrey Pilarski of Bay City, MI. Her 20 great grandchildren are Nathan, Sean, Thomas, Aine, Madison, Taylor, Morgan, MacKenzie, Sara, Alexandrea, Jacob, Zachary, Rachel, Paige, Megan, Gavin, Hayley, Bostyn, Theodore, and Penelope. Dorothy has one great great grandchild, Kayson.

A funeral service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Tuesday, January 15, 2019. Visitation will begin at the church at 10am until the time of service at 11am.

Dorothy will be interred next to her husband in Northlawn Cemetery in Sebewaing.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, The Lutheran Hour, the National Braille Association or a charity of your choice.

The Lord is my light and salvation.