John Edwin "Doc" Ebinger Ph.D.

John Edwin "Doc" Ebinger, PhD

October 31, 2025

John Edwin "Doc" Ebinger, PhD, age 92, of Charleston, IL, passed away on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Arbor Rose of Charleston. He was born on June 2, 1933, in Hamilton, OH, to Edwin C. and Amelia (Heid) Ebinger. On August 11, 1957, he married the love of his life, Marlene V. Spreen, in Cincinnati, OH. They cherished sixty-two years together before her passing on October 3, 2019.

John is survived by his three children, Wendy Satchwell of Bloomington, IL, Warren Ebinger of Youngsville, NC, and Kari Sue Ebinger of Charleston. He also leaves behind his daughter-in-law, 10 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marlene; his son, Scott John Ebinger; his parents; and his siblings, Ellen Herren and Elbert Ebinger.

John graduated from Hughes High School in Hamilton, OH, and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Botany from Miami University in Oxford, OH, in 1955, where he also participated in ROTC. He served four years in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, he continued his education at Yale University in New Haven, CT, earning his Master of Science in Botany in 1959 and his PhD in 1961.

John was a Professor of Botany at Eastern Illinois University and served as curator of the Stover-Ebinger Herbarium from 1963 to 1995. He was the first EIU faculty member elected a Fellow of the Illinois State Academy of Science. He also taught at the University of Illinois and was actively involved with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Post Board of Natural Resources, Illinois Herbaria, and the Illinois Natural History Survey. John loved teaching and was passionate about plants and the natural world.

Visitation will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. Mary Wright officiating. Burial with military honors by the U.S. Air Force and VFW Post 1592 will be at Roselawn Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern Illinois University Foundation, Attn: Botany Gift Fund, 600 Lincoln Ave., Charleston, IL 61920.

To view the obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle, or share memories, please visit www.adamsfuneralchapel.com. Adams Funeral Chapel of Charleston, IL, is handling the arrangements.