EBERHARDT, Wilma Lucile (Benedict) - b. August 21, 1914 - d. March 12, 2007

[Janet Harrington]

(The Independence Daily Reporter March 14, 2007 page 2)

Wilma Lucile Eberhardt, 92, of Topeka, formerly of Piedmont, died Monday at the Midland Hospice House in Topeka.

Services will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Piedmont United Methodist Church with Rev. Diann Demas officiating.  Graveside services will be Friday at 2:30 at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Wichita.

Memorials are suggested to the Piedmont United Methodist Church or Midland Hospice House of  Topeka, and they may be left with Zimmerman Funeral Home of Howard.

Mrs. Eberhardt was born Aug. 21, 1914 in Wichita to William and Frances (Slyter)  Benedict.  She graduated form Wichita East High School in 1933.

On Oct. 2, 1941, she married Clayton Eberhardt in Wichita and they later divorced.

She worked for Beech Aircraft company in Wichita.  She moved to Piedmont in 1947 and became known for her homemade pies at Charlie's Cafe in Piedmont.

She was a member of the Severy Senior Center and served as treasurer of the Piedmont United Methodist Women and held district offices.

Survivors include two daughters, Viola Jordan, Piedmont, and Geri Malle, Topeka; three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

(Does anyone know if there was a Charlie's Cafe in Piedmont?  There was a Charlie's Cafe west of Severy.  Is that where they meant?)

[Wilma]

I don't remember there being a Charlie's Cafe in Piedmont.  There was a cafe on the west side of the street across from where Lila's is now.  I don't remember the name of it.  And I don't remember Wilma working there in 1948.

Your sister, Jean might remember if she worked at Charlie's at Severy.

[Janet Harrington]

I think she worked at Charlie's Cafe west of Severy.  They did have good pies.

[Janet Harrington]

(From the Flint Hills Express, March 21, 2007, page 4)

Wilma Lucile Eberhardt passed away on Monday, March 12, 2007 at the Midland Hospice House in Topeka.  She was 92 years of age and a long time resident of Piedmont.  Wilma was born on Aug. 21, 1914 at Wichita to William Martin and Frances Viola (Slyter) Benedict.  She lived her early years in Wichita and graduated from Wichita East High School in 1933.

On Oct. 2, 1941, she married Clayton Loyd Eberhardt at Wichita, and to this union was born two daughters, Viola and Geri.  This marriage later ended.  Wilma was employed at Beech Aircraft Company during World War II and made a home in Wichita until the family moved to a farm south of Piedmont, in 1947.  Wilma was a devoted homemaker and became known for her skill at baking pies at Charlie's Cafe' on old Highway 96 between Piedmont and Severy.  In 1976, she moved into Piedmont until her death.

Wilma was an active member of the Severy Senior Center in Severy, and served many years as treasurer of the Piedmont United Methodist Church.  She was also a member of the Piedmont United Methodist Women and held district offices of the Kansas East Conference of the United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her daughters, Viola Jordan and herhusband LeRoy of Piedmont and Geri Malle and her husband Art of Topeka; three grandchildren, Brenda Williams and her husband Rod, Michelle Malle and Cherie Malle; three great grandchildren, Chelsea Beckenholdt, Patrick Williams and Curtis Williams and one great great great granddaughter, Karlee Marie Meyer.  She was precededin death by her parents; a brother, William M. Benedict and two sisters, Lulu Viola Benedict and M. Isabell Streit.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 16, at the Piedmont United Methodist Church with Pastor Diann Demas officiating.  LeRoy Jordan sang "Amazing Grace" and the congregation sang "In The Garden" and "Precious Lord, Take My Hand".  The casket bearers were members of her family.  Graveside services were held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 16, at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, 1806 N. Oliver, in Wichita.  Memorials have been established with the Piedmont United Methodist Church and Midland Hospice House of Topeka.  Contributions may be left with the funeral home.  The funeral arrangements are being made with the Zimmerman Funeral Home of Howard.