Carl Vincent Eby passed away of natural causes August 17, 2014 at Benefis Peace Hospice.
Carl was born December 3, 1922 in Circleville, Ohio the twelfth of thirteen children to Bertha Dell (Hoover) and Calvin Lafayette Eby. Times were nip and tuck in those days and being one of the youngest molded the character and set the stage for Carl being “one tough guy” both physically and mentally. When he was 12 or 13 Carl went to work for G.M. Newton farming and he worked there every summer to pay for his school clothes. He made 50 cents a day. He graduated in 1941 from Circleville High School where he excelled at many sports including baseball and football. He received an Honorable Mention Athlete from the State of Ohio. After graduation he joined the US Navy but received a Medical Discharge within a year. For about five years Carl worked on the pipeline in Ohio, Texas, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi before hiring on with the Milwaukee Railroad which would become his lifelong profession in 1946.
On October 22, 1949 Carl married Roselean P. Kalina in Bell Plains, Iowa. To this union were born Mary and Carl. Roselean died in 1959 from leukemia when they were living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Work with the Milwaukee Railroad brought Carl and his 2 children to Aberdeen, South Dakota where he met Barbara Joan Kuechler at a dance and they first danced to “I Can’t Stop Loving You”. They were married on November 12, 1963. They continued “dancing” for the next 50 years and will be dancing together again someday. Carl adopted Barbara’s 2 sons, Dane and Dirk, and the family moved to St. Paul briefly before moving to Great Falls in 1968 where they made their home at 1917 1st Avenue South. He and Barb kept their home until 2012 when they moved in to The Lodge.
“Gramps” as many referred to him had an acceptance of family as something that is not only born of blood – but of choice. His family was a patchwork quilt with every new member welcomed fully and equally. This legacy set a fine example for everyone who knew and loved him to live by. He especially loved the little kids and always had a ready smile, teasing word and lots of candy for little visitors. Halloween and Christmas were 2 of his favorite times of the year.
Carl held several positions with the Milwaukee Railroad including clerk, freight service inspector and station agent culminating as trainmaster. He thoroughly enjoyed working for the railroad until 1980 when it folded. Not being inclined to work for another railroad after the Milwaukee, Carl spent a couple of years working for a salvage outfit before officially retiring in 1982. He was never idle though and always was available to lend a hand to anyone whether it was moving, building fence, planting trees, painting or mowing a lawn.
Carl was an avid hunter and fisherman. Many, many happy times are remembered of looking for another big buck, catching perch on Pickerel Lake, and cleaning pheasants and grouse for supper. He also loved to garden and always grew wonderful tomatoes until he couldn’t work in the yard anymore.
He never gave up his love of sports and golfed up until he was 86 years old. He was especially fond of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears. His knowledge of sports was appreciated by all who shared a game with him. He loved music and played the guitar and mandolin.
Carl is survived by his wife of fifty years, Barbara; daughter Mary (Warren) Wachal of Albany, Oregon; sons Carl (Nell) of Billings and Dane (Lori) of Great Falls; sister, Ruth Murphy of Ohio; brother and sister-in-law, George and Cheryl Strickland of Washington; grandchildren- Christopher Perkins, Carolyn Perkins, Kenneth Rowe, Shawn Eby, Nathan (Kate) Eby, Bret Eby, Matthew (Jessica) Eby, Daniel (Eileen) Eby, Sarah Boston and Derek (Felecia) Eby; great-grandchildren Ashly, Devon, Dylan, Caleb, Abigail, Orion, Ava, Grace, Lydian, Ana, Daniel, Sarah, Melody, John, Kaelynn and Cole; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Anna, Hester, Lewis, Nettie, Lafayette, Jesse, Lillian, Thelma, Kenneth, Leonard and Harold; and son Dirk.
Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held Monday, August 25, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with burial at Highland Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Benefis Peace Hospice.