Alan "Al" A. Eberhardt

[caption id="attachment_5378" align="alignleft" width="215"] Al[/caption]Alan "Al" A. EberhardtOf Arlington HeightsAlan "Al" A. Eberhardt, 79, of Arlington Hts. returned to his Heavenly Home on Friday Jan. 27th, 2017 surrounded by his family. The love and prayers of his family and friends along with his firm belief in God supported him throughout his final struggle and ultimately brought him peace.Alan was born to the late Anthony and Auleen Eberhardt in Dubuque, IA. He entered the Iowa National Guard in 1959 after earning a degree in economics from Loras College. He met his wife, Bette, while attending law school at the University of Iowa. They returned to Dubuque where he began his career with JC Penney and their first child was born. Each of his next five transfers/promotions resulted in a new home and a new child. Their last move was to Arlington Hts. where their sixth child was born. After that their only new arrivals were pets. Alan continued his military career with the US Army Reserve retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after a combined 38 years of service.Above all Alan was devoted to his wife, Bette. They raised their children with patience, humor and a sense of adventure. Alan loved to run marathons, training with his honorary 7th child, Trooper, was avid reader and fan of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library reference librarians.He had a real passion for serving his community as a Eucharistic and Bereavement Minister, PADS volunteer, various military reserve organizations and Grand Knight of the Holy Rosary Council of the Knights of Columbus for which he received the Volunteer Arlington Heights' Heart of Gold.Alan is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bette (nee Graef); his children Marianne Eberhardt, Margaret Eberhardt, Kathy (Pete) Van Tassel, Michelle Eberhardt, Michael (Andrea) Eberhardt and David Eberhardt; and his 9 grandsons to whom he loved to read and spend time with, Craig, Cody, Cole, Caleb, Ryan, Kevin, Joshua, Leon and Isaac. He is also survived by his loving sister-in-law, Beverly Graef Graves and brother-in-law, Robert Graef.In addition to his parents, Alan was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Eberhardt, age 16.Visitation from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Thursday, February 2, 2017 at Glueckert Funeral Home Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois and Friday, February 3, 2017 at St. Edna Catholic Church, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, Illinois from 9:00 am until time of Funeral Mass at 10:00 am. Committal 12:30 pm, Friday at Ft. Sheridan Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arlington Heights Memorial Library: http://www.ahml.info/content/donation-form, to Loras College: https://alumni.loras.edu/giving, to National Right to Life: http://www.nrlc.org/donate or to Knights of Columbus, Holy Rosary Council #4438, 15 N. Hickory, Arlington Heights, IL 60004.Funeral information and condolences www.GlueckertFH.com or (847) 253-0168.