Charles E. Ebberts, 80

LEWES - Charles E. Ebberts of Lewes passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 17, 2007, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. He was 80.

He was born Oct. 30, 1926, in Arbutus, Md., to the late Charles Ebberts Sr. and Margaret Sullivan Ebberts.

Mr. Ebberts attended Catonsville High School.

Upon graduating, he joined the Navy, serving as a gunners mate onboard the USS Fiske (DD-842), USS Glacier (AGB-4), USS Barker (DD-213) and USS Albuquerque (PF-7), during World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars earning numerous medals.

Mr. Ebberts changed his service rating to communication technician and served at stations in Guam, Winter Harbor, ME and the Philippines.

He went on to complete a 21-year Navy career, attaining the rank of senior chief petty officer.

Following his military career, Mr. Ebberts continued supporting the U.S. Navy as an analyst with the Naval Intelligence Command, where he earned the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

After retiring from the Navy, he was employed by Hughes Aircraft, El Segundo, Calif.

He was married 54 years to Ruth E. (Butler) Ebberts, and together they had three children, Douglas Ebberts of Alexandria, Va., Linda Bosse of Denton, Md., and Jeffrey Ebberts of Temple, Texas, and three grandchildren, Heather, 21, Kevin, 20, and Lauren, 15.

He is also survived by his sister, Mary Knecht of Stewartstown, Pa.

Funeral services will be held at noon Friday in Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may call two hours prior to service.

Interment will be private at Arlington National Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 7 Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.