Cyndi Loza

Earl S. Ebers Jr.: 1930-2007

For the sport of bowling, attorney Earl S. Ebers Jr. always had time to spare.

For more than 50 years, Mr. Ebers was an attorney and a member of the American Bowling Congress.

After graduating from DePaul University Law School in 1956 — getting by financially through bowling wagers in local alleys — he helped establish the law firm Ebers, Metskas, Bjorvik & Kyros.

Despite the demands of the law firm, Mr. Ebers made sure to never miss an annual ABC championship.

“We made a half-hearted pledge that no matter where the ABCs were, we would be there,” said Frank Salapatek, a friend and member of the bowling congress, who played with Mr. Ebers since the 1950s.

Mr. Ebers, a resident of Olympia Fields, died Monday at Ingalls Hospital after a long series of illnesses. He was 77.

‘He wouldn’t let you beat him’

He was described by many as a kind person with a good sense of humor who loved to win at any sport.

“He was just competitive,” said Loretta Ebers, his wife of 55 years. “He wouldn’t let you beat him.”

He was born in Blue Island and began bowling at young age with his father, Earl Ebers Sr. In 1949, he participated in his first ABC Championship with his father in Atlantic City.

Back home, Mr. Ebers kept up with his cherished sport. One of his greatest accomplishments was bowling a 300 game at Blue Island’s Burr Oak Bowl in the early 1980s.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Ebers is survived by his daughters, Deborah Klindt, Susan Ebers and Celeste Kralovec; sons, Earl S. Ebers II and Brian, and 11 grandchildren.

A funeral service will be at 9:15 a.m. today at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 17248 S. Harlem, Tinley Park, followed by mass at the Infant Jesus of Prague Church at 10 a.m. Burial will be private.