John Eberhardt
April 20, 1950 - October 30, 2026
Obituary
John H. Eberhardt, age 76, passed away on October 30, 2026, at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, WI. He was born on April 20, 1950 in Sandusky, OH to parents, Raymond Sr. and Thelma (Zimmerlee) Eberhardt.
In 1953, John moved, with his family, back to Wisconsin, where he grew up on farms during that idyllic 1950-1960s era. John attended Edgerton High School and at the age of 18 was drafted into the United States Marine Corps. He served in Vietnam with the First Marine Division in the Da Nang area as a rifleman.
In 1976, John began his career in a factory in Evansville, WI where he spent nearly 36 years manufacturing low-rise commercial and industrial metal buildings, retiring in 2012.
Since the age of 16, John had always enjoyed riding motorcycles. Later on, he took flying lessons and joined a flying club and for his 40th birthday present to himself, he went to Skip Barber Racing School at Road America. Through his 25+ years membership in the Midwestern Council of Sports Car Club of Madison where he raced 2000-2008 with his #21 GT-1 Camero. He became a part-time crew member on a professional team for four years in Speed World Challenge GT and spent 20 years helping take care of a friend’s car collection, which gave him the opportunity to travel around the country racing and showing Corvettes. He also enjoyed hunting and watching the wildlife.
John was a proud veteran and a member of the Verona American Legion, Mt Horeb VFW, Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Group - Chapter 3 and 4, and the Sugar River Detachment #1501 Marine Corps League of Wisconsin where he held various leadership positions in each. He also supported Quilts of Valor (QOV) Foundation and Karen's local QOV group by recruiting veterans for the award.
For a long time, it was just John and his cat. He did his job, paid his bills, and the rest of the world just existed on its own until he married Karen (nee Nelson, Goth) on November 7, 2015, and he shared her 4 children; 10 grandchildren, 2 sisters and extended family.
John and Karen traveled to many Pro-Amateur Sports Car Tracks and had a 3-week trip to Norway in 2017 that included visiting Karen's cousins for a week. John was happiest enjoying his time with Karen at the family farm in Verona and supporting the many veteran organizations to which he belonged.
John is survived by his wife, Karen Eberhardt; brothers, Richard Eberhardt of Surrey B.C., Canada and half-brother, Raymond Eberhardt, Jr. of Milwaukee, WI; nieces, Latecia Eberhardt of Surrey B.C., Canada, Marla (Mark) Corniels of Port Washington, WI; step-children, Benjamin (Laura) Goth of Fitchburg, Monica (Jan) Stage of Appleton and Stephanie (Gerard) Ritter of St. Germain, WI; step grandchildren, Noah, Avery and Graham Goth; Annika (Titus) Hammen and Vanessa Klaeser; Jason, Zachary and Emily Ritter and Madelyne McIntosh-Goth and Ashton Goth; plus many dear family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond Sr. and Thelma Eberhardt and step-son Jonathan Goth.
Visitation is at 10:30 a.m. followed by a memorial service with military honors which will be held outside at 11:30 a.m., Monday, November 9, 2026 at the VFW Post 9511, 2787 Erbe Rd., Blue Mounds, WI 53517. Please dress for the weather with the outdoor service. Following the service, please join the family for a luncheon inside at the VFW.
For more information or to leave a memory, Please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.
Ryan Funeral Service & Legacy Center
6728 Mader Drive
608-274-1000