Lee Ora Eberly , 94, of South Whitley, died peacefully at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne.

Born on January 22, 1929, in Whitley County, Indiana, he was a son of the late Levi and Mary Etta (Mishler) Eberly. Growing up in the Larwill area, he graduated from Larwill High School in 1948.

On August 15, 1948, he married Glee I. Penrod, beginning their 62-year journey together, raising five children and building a successful business. Glee died on June 9, 2010.

In 1962, Lee and Glee started Whitley Mobile Homes, Inc., becoming a well-known dealer and transporter of mobile and manufactured homes. They also developed and owned mobile home parks and built Eberly Hall in South Whitley, a gathering place for many years for wedding receptions, family reunions, and community events.

Lee was an active member of the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association, the former United Methodist Church of South Whitley, the South Whitley Lion's Club, and, earlier in life, the Spring Creek Church of the Brethren.

Through the years, Lee enjoyed gardening both vegetables and flowers, often with his dog at his side. An antique collector, he always had a keen eye for anything collectible.

After raising the children, Lee and Glee spent their winters in Florida for over 20 years. The couple liked to travel, taking journeys to Europe and Australia as well as traveling domestically. An accomplished grillman, he had a knack for preparing barbeque chicken and was always on the hunt for a good steak prepared by others.

Surviving are his children, Daryl D. (Carolyn) Eberly and Carol L. Eberly, both of South Whitley; Laurell E. (Thomas) Schroeder, of Columbia City, Jeryl J. (Tammy) Eberly, and Terry Eberly, both of South Whitley; grandchildren, Angela (Chad) Tranter, Andrea (Eric) Garringer, Audra (Brian) Lenfert, Jennifer (Jamie) Hotchkiss, Neil (Megan) Hodges, Jessica (Thomas) McFarland, Jarad (Brittany) Eberly, Tara (Hayden) Cox, Jordan Eberly, Sean Eberly, Wade Eberly, Cole Eberly, and Hope Eberly; 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by brothers George, Ray, and Dean Eberly, and sisters Phyllis Birtwhistle and Glea Rule.

Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley.  The funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday (January 6th).  Burial is next to his wife at the South Whitley Cemetery.

Memorials in Lee's honor are to the South Whitley Community Church or the Cleveland Twp. Fire Dept.