Columbus, OH — Patricia Ann Ebersole, 86, of Chesterville, Ohio, died Aug. 20, 2023, at the Woodside Village Care Center in Mount Gilead.
She was a member of Chesterville United Methodist Church where she was the church organist, secretary, Sunday School teacher as well as the after-school program for the children.
She was a Selover Library Trustee for over 30 years. One of her joys was when the children’s section was increased with a good collection. She was the Past Matron of Evelyn Chapter 146, Order of the Eastern Star and served as Deputy Grand Matron of District 12 in 2001.
Education was a big adventure from first grade on until her dad said in July of 1955, “You are going to college.” He handed her a hundred dollar bill to pay for tuition. It was her destiny because she was awarded a hundred-dollar scholarship from General Motors. The tuition was two hundred dollars.
She graduated from Chesterville High School in 1955; Bowling Green State University with a BS in Education; and a Master’s degree from the College of Mount St. Joe.
In the 30-plus years that she taught second, first, and kindergarten children she loved each one for their talents. She tried to ‘keep in touch’ with all her children and was very proud of their achievements.
She retired from Chesterville (Highland North Elementary) School in 1992 after 30 years of teaching first, second, and kindergarten children numbering 985. She spent a total of 42 years in the Chesterville school which she dearly loved.
Her enthusiasm included many areas. One of the most important was harness racing. This started when her father-in-law created Ebersole Downs, a quarter-mile track for miniature harness racing. She and her husband Ernie moved right along with son Jeff as he became a trainer/driver of Standardbreds along with his wife Linda. Luke and Logan would become the fourth generation of the Ebersole family to continue the family tradition.
Family was very important to her. She enjoyed attending all the activities that her son and grandsons participated in. Being a grandmother to her own and all the kids she was around was something she always thrived at. She was very thankful for all the Ebersole family and friends who cared and shared love with her.
She enjoyed quilting, gardening, flowers, reading, family and local history. She also published books on the history of her family as well the town of Chesterville and Morrow County which she took great pride in.
On Aug, 24, 1957, she married her childhood sweetheart and best friend Charles Ernest (Ernie) Ebersole whom she met in first grade at Chesterville School. He passed on Aug. 28, 2008, after 51 years of marriage. Where one would find Ernie you would find Pat. Their time together was very special.
She is survived by her son, Jeffrey (Linda); grandsons, Luke and Logan; brother, Jack (Joyce) Smith; sister-in-law, Lois Smith; along with many of the Ebersole family and many friends who called her ‘teacher’ or grandma. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her brother, Gary L. Smith.
The family will receive friends from 3-8 p.m. on Thursday (Aug. 31) at the Christ the King Community Church, 15598 McCelland Rd., Fredericktown, OH 43019, where a funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 1) with Pastor Martin Spearman officiating. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Maple Grove Cemetery, Chesterville, Ohio.
To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.