Peggy Eble

Margaret “Peggy” Eble was one of those women who everyone wanted to know since she was just as sweet as they come. She was loving and thoughtful of others and she was a devoted mother, who made it her life’s mission to nurture the children she was given. A gifted artist, Peggy brought so much color to the world around her and was a true blessing to all those who were within her reach.

As part of a vibrant decade in America, the year 1924 was a year that was laced with changes that brought our nation to new heights. The IBM Corporation was founded, two United States Army planes made the first round-the-world flight, and airmail services were available from coast to coast. It was during this exciting year that there was much to celebrate in the family of Norman and Luella (Berning) Eastin since on July 27th, they welcomed their daughter, Peggy, into their hearts and home. Born in Toledo, Ohio, Peggy was the oldest of three girls in her family including her siblings Norma and Carol. Her father worked as a bookkeeper for several different businesses while her mother was a bookkeeper at a jewelry store in addition to caring for her family. Peggy was very artistic as a young girl and attended St. Ursula Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school, graduating in 1942. She continued her education for a time, taking some college classes in New York.

Life was forever changed for Peggy when she was set up on a blind date with the man with whom she would share a lifetime of love. His name was Thomas Eble and they met in Toledo during the Easter season. After dating for a time, the couple was united in marriage on October 6, 1945, at a church in Brooklyn, New York. After a honeymoon in Washington, D.C., the couple settled into an apartment there as Thomas was a student at Georgetown University at the time.

Not long after becoming husband and wife, the couple became the proud parents of their son, John, in 1946. The couple was deeply saddened, however, with the death of their son who died shortly after birth. Great joy filled their hearts once again when they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Donna, in 1948. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Thomas took a job as a research biochemist with the Upjohn Company while Peggy stayed home to raise their family that grew to include six more children: Carolyn, Mary Pat, Joyce, Michael, Janie, and Lauren. Peggy was very involved in the lives of her children, regularly volunteering at their schools and serving as a Girl Scout leader among many other volunteer positions with their various activities.

Although much of her time was spent caring for her family, Peggy also pursued a diverse palette of interests. She and Thomas were very social, often going out to dance clubs or to play bridge. They regularly enjoyed the beaches along the Great Lakes and Grand Haven. Peggy satiated her more artistic side by taking art lessons in both oils and watercolors, although she dabbled in many different hobbies and crafts. She stayed active, enjoying golf, playing tennis, walking, and cross-country skiing. Peggy and Thomas traveled quite often for both business and pleasure, seeing many places over the years. Later in their lives, they rented a condo in Englewood, Florida, where they spent their winters enjoying the warm and sunny Florida weather. Both she and Thomas were avid readers who read every day before turning in for the night.

Life was not without hardship for Peggy, however, as she was deeply saddened with the death of her beloved Thomas in 2001. During the sunset of her life she struggled with her own health beginning in 2006 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Like a vibrant sunrise splashed across the sky, Peggy Eble brought beauty to the world around her. She was kind and loving – one of the nicest people one could ever meet. A truly remarkable woman, Peggy will be dearly missed by those who will hold her memory close to their hearts.

Peggy Eble died October 12, 2010 in Portage. Peggy’s family includes 7 children: Donna (Greg) Kline, Carolyn (Jonathan) Ahlbrand, Mary Pat Eble (Steve Zielinski), Joyce Eble, Michael Eble, Janie Eble and Lauren Eble (Bill Deike); 14 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters: Norma Scruggs and Carol Stechschulte and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Peggy was preceded in death by her husband Thomas E. Eble and infant son John Francis Eble. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow with burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Please visit Peggy’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Association