John Wright Eberwine, 78, died April 12, 2017. John was a native of Bennett’s Creek and was born on Feb. 19, 1939. He was predeceased by his parents, Bruce and Lucille Wright Eberwine; and brother, Bruce Eberwine Jr.

John attended Chuckatuck and Churchland high schools. He followed in his father’s footsteps and graduated from Virginia Tech in 1963. A retired farmer and nurseryman, John was very active in his community. A trained EMT and later CT, he was a founding member and the first president of the Bennett’s Creek Volunteer Rescue Squad. He was a charter member of both the Bennett’s Creek Ruritan Club and the North Suffolk Social Club. John was a past president of Bennett’s Creek Little League, where over the years he also coached numerous teams. He also served as president of the Virginia Horticultural Foundation Board, served on the Suffolk Board of Equalization, the Nansemond County Police Commission and the Suffolk Police Commission. For many years he enjoyed helping shoot off the fireworks at the Crittenden July 4 celebration as well as Suffolk’s Peanut Fest. He was currently serving on the Board of Trustees for Beech Grove United Methodist Church.

John is survived by his wife of 53 years, Cynthia Davenport Eberwine; children, Heather E. Witman (John), of Harrisonburg, John W. Eberwine Jr. (Terry), of St. Charles, Mo., and Amanda M. Eberwine (William O’Brien), of Yorktown; grandchildren, Benjamin and Virginia Witman, Emily and Abigail Eberwine; and his loyal four-legged companion, Maggie.

A funeral service will be held at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Bennett’s Creek Chapel, Suffolk, on Tuesday, April 18, at 1 p.m. by the Rev. Keith Moore. The burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery in Eclipse. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, April 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com.