Long time resident, Marlin Dwight "Moe" Eberhart, passed away on Friday, April 25 at Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital, at the age of 84, after a long fight with Parkinson's Disease. Services are scheduled for Monday, May 12, 2014 at the Burlington First United Methodist Church, beginning at 10:30 a.m. A memorial to Moe has been set up at the Bank of Burlington to help fund the Burlington United Methodist Church's College Scholarship Fund. Memorials can be sent to the Bank of Burlington or to the United Methodist Church.

Marlin was born in St. Francis, Kansas to Lena (Lampe) and Rudolph (Rudy) Eberhart on January 3, 1930. He was welcomed home by his sister Ruth (Wilcox) and the family later grew by adding Dale and finally, Jerry. Marlin attended grade school at the Northrup Center County School near St. Francis until the family moved to a farm southeast of Burlington, where he continued his elementary school at the Smokey Hill School.

Marlin entered Burlington High School as a freshman in 1944 where he became known as "Moe," a nickname that stuck with him throughout his life. He became an active participant in high school clubs, activities and sports, lettering and playing on State Championship teams in football in '47 and basketball in '48, as well as on a revived high school baseball team.

Four senior boys, though had a unique pastime as pilots. Stub Dixon, Don Pavel and Ed Hatcher all flew, along with Moe, to local events in eastern Colorado and western Kansas. Moe was the only one to own his own plane, a 1947 Cessna that was kept at the Winter's Hanger in Kanorado, Kansas. Moe had logged 40 hours on a student license by the time he graduated.

Moe graduated from BHS with the class of 1948, and began his long career as a local farmer, working with his father and uncle, Ted Eberhart. In 1949 he had a chance meeting with a gal from Kanorado who was working in Goodland, Kansas, Darlene Donner. They dated for nine months and he and Darlene began their 64 years of marriage on March 19, 1950. Married at the Burlington United Methodist Church, they became life-long members and have been active ever since. They bought a place near the Kansas border and adopted two baby boys, Philip Duane in 1954, and Larry Bruce in 1956. The family lived, farmed and his sons grew up there until Moe and Darlene retired from active farming and moved to Burlington in 1975.

While in town, Moe's love of farming continued, though on a much smaller scale. He maintained a sizable vegetable garden out on the old place at first, then in the back yard in town, then in the neighbor's back yard (the whole back yard)! Moe was legendary for leaving sweet corn, pumpkins, zucchini, cantaloupe or tomatoes at local businesses, doctor's offices, neighbors and strangers doorsteps, even in cars left unlocked!

In 1980, after a restless "retirement," Moe accepted the job of "Field Man" for the Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Service (ASCS) office and was employed there for another 12 years. He retired again and did odd jobs with the Post Office as a substitute mail carrier, etc., for several years.

Moe and Darlene enjoyed playing cards and dancing, both Square and Ballroom, and traveled with friends to many places around the world, Switzerland, Ireland and Panama Canal and Alaskan cruises being their favorites. Moe was elected and served on the Burlington City Council for a 4 year term, from 2002 to 2006. He was a "regular" at the coffee shops around town, and his jovial, teasing and unconditionally caring ways helped to make the gatherings more fun.

Moe kept busy and when the gardening was poor or “partners-in- crime” passed on, he started wood working projects with a wishing well that became a signature piece for him - there are 21 of them that grace yards in Burlington and its surrounds yet today. He made Peanuts characters and other wood projects for friends and eventually built a separate woodshop on the back patio of their home. Between the vegetables and the wood products people got used to seeing Moe's impish smile at their front door or around town with the latest crop or creation.

Moe's final health battle began in the fall of 2007 with a fall at home when he injured his back. A diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease came from that incident and Moe was in "rehab" the rest of his days, in Goodland and finally in Burlington's Grace Manor. His smile, mischievous and generous ways effected everyone along the way and will be long remembered and much missed in the community.

Preceding him in death were his mother and father, Lena and Rudy, and two brothers, Dale and Jerry Eberhart. Surviving him are his wife of 64 years, Darlene, sons Philip (Valerie) of Centennial, CO; Larry (Lori) of Salida, CO; six grandchildren, five great grandchildren, his sister Ruth (Russ) Wilcox of Burlington and many other relatives and friends.

Memorial Services have been planned for Moe on Monday May 12, 2014 beginning at 10:30 a,m., at the Burlington United Methodist Church with Inurnment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Burlington CO

Family has asked that any contributions be sent to the Church and can be dropped off at the Mortuary.