Joplin has lost one of its true characters. Dennis Rogers Eberle was born May 13, 1936, to Jean F. Eberle and Delpha Rogers Eberle. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Pierson; their children, Tim Eberle, Webb City, Mo., and Tina Salonsky, Savanna, Ga.; grandson, Jack Salonsky, Savannah; current wife, Priscilla Collins Eberle, of Joplin; brother, Jeff Eberle, Fort Myers, Fla.; and sister, Debora Downard, Kansas City, Mo. He attended Joplin High School and Washington University, St. Louis, Mo. He served in the Army in Japan, was golf pro on a Caribbean cruise ship, assistant golf pro at Seaview Country Club, Absecon, N.J., owned Chinese carry-out in Naples, Fla., maitre d' in Sausalito, Calif., active in Kiwanis, sold real estate and was a travel agent in Joplin. He loved to play golf, listen to jazz, fish, cook gourmet food, read, write, travel and cuddle his cats. Always laughing, joking and had great sense of humor. He would light up the room. His most proud accomplishment was being a member of AA for 30 years. Joplin will miss its "Golf Doctor." He died March 31, 2013, in a Carthage, Mo. nursing home. He was previously in Greenbrier Nursing Home when the Joplin tornado destroyed the building killing 13 people. We consider him one of the uncounted, indirect victims of the tornado. He died March 31, 2013, in a Carthage, Mo. nursing home. He was previously in Greenbrier Nursing Home when the Joplin tornado destroyed the building killing 13 people. We consider him one of the uncounted, indirect victims of the tornado. His wishes were to be cremated (Midland Cremation, Joplin) and his ashes scattered in the ocean at Naples. As there is no service, donations are being accepted by Joplin Humane Society.
Published on April 13, 2013∼Dennis was the first of 3 children born to Delpha (Rogers) and Jean F. Eberle. His red hair and freckles earned him the childhood nickname of "Red Eb" with his many friends. He played trombone in high school and became enamored with jazz at an early age. While a student at Joplin high school, he met Marjorie Pierson and they married in 1953. Together they had 2 children, Timothy R. and Tina D. Eberle.
Dennis's love of golf led him to a intermittant career as a golf pro. His favorite job being assistant pro at Absecon Country Club in New Jersey. From there he joined the ranks of employees with Holland America Cruise lines as assitant cruise director for 2 yrs. Unfortunately while golfing and cruising, his alcohol use became a real problem which affected the rest of his personal and professional life.
He spent some time in Naples, FL where he had a small carry-out restaurant. He loved his time there and always wanted to go back, but moved back to Joplin.
While back in Joplin, Dennis met and married Priscilla Collins. They soon moved to New Hampshire to be near Priscilla's daughters but moved back to Joplin after several years.
Dennis resumed his love with the game of golf and became an instructor under the name of the "Golf Doctor". He also worked in the Men's Clothing Dept. at JC Penny.
After several years of bad health and strokes, Dennis moved into The Greenbriar nursing home at 20th and Moffett in Joplin. He was there in 2011 when the devastating tornado hit the facility directly and 13 residents were killed. He survived and was moved to Carthage Health and Rehab where he passed away on Easter evening.
Dennis was preceeded in death by his parents and wife Marjorie. He leaves his son Tim of Webb City, daughter Tina of California, brother Jeff of Ft. Myers, FL and sister Debora Downard of Kansas City, MO.
As per Dennis's wishes, his body was cremated, and his brother Jeff scattered his ashes in the ocean at Naples, FL. The headstone was placed in the Eberle family plot to commemorate his time here on Earth.