Richard "Keith" Eberly

Richard “Keith” Eberly age 94 passed away peacefully at Williamsport Nursing and Rehabilitation on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Born on April 6, 1928 the only child of DeWitt and Nora (Steele) Eberly.  Keith, a bachelor, was a lifelong resident of Pine Village and was never so happy as to be serving his community, the Pine Village Town Council, the farmers near Pine Village, a member of the Pine Village Lions Club, and above all, his passion as a member of the Pine Village Community Volunteer Fire Department.  He enjoyed fishing with friends and was an avid bottle pool player.

Keith was a 1946 graduate of Pine Village High School and farmed with his father until being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951.  Serving in Korea, Keith attained the distinction of being the head of the motor pool-a testament to his mechanical prowess.  Keith, with the stoic mindset of many of his generation, spoke pragmatically about his 30 day ocean voyage to get back home to Indiana after his 2 years of military service.  Keith was a member of VFW 3318 and a member of Attica American Legion Post 52. 

Keith was noted for his ability to repair almost anything mechanical.  Never a man to be frustrated, difficult repair tasks were referred to as “well that crazy thing”.  Nonetheless, Keith readily stood to the task of getting the farmer back into the field or getting the lawnmower back in operating condition for residents of the area. His pride and joy was accomplishing the maintenance and repair for the truck fleet for the fire department.   Keith remarkably operated his repair shop until just a few short years before his death.

 Keith served as a member of the Pine Village Town Council for 25 years retiring in 2021.  As a member of the Town Council and Pine Village Lions Club, Keith was responsible for the Pine Village Business Person’s Association which helped fund the annual Pine Village Elementary School Christmas Program and other seasonal activities for the school.

Keith was the Pine Village Community Fire Department’s longest serving member. Keith was honored with the department’s LifeTime Achievement Award in 2018 for 50 years of service.  Keith was quite possibly one of the oldest serving firefighters in the State of Indiana. 

Keith was survived by several cousins and close friends in the Pine Village Area.

A celebration service open to the public will be on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m at the Pine Village Fire Station with full military honors and P.V. Fire Department Post Everlasting honors. Keith will be buried at Pine Village Cemetery alongside his parents at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pine Village Fire Department. 

Keith Eberly will be missed and his legacy remains an example of honorable service and dedication to community for all Hoosiers.