Henry John Ebershoff II

Henry John Ebershoff, II 67, of Lafayette went to be with The Lord God after a brave battle with throat cancer at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 21, 2012. Always fun, he kept his humor and quick wit to the end surrounded by his wife Lana, sons Richard II, Scott and Craig. Henry was born in Lafayette on May 6, 1945, the son of the late Richard V. and Sarah Schaaf Ebershoff. Henry started his athletic career playing basketball for St. Mary's Catholic Elementary School under the tutelage of coach and mentor Joe Heath. He was MVP of the Jeff Booster tournament, which was a city tournament of all of the Lafayette grade schools. Henry went on to play football and basketball at Central Catholic High School and was MVP in each sport under the coaching of close friend Paul Larocca. He graduated from CC in 1963. Henry had quite a few athletic scholarships opportunities for college and finally settled at Purdue. He played football and was injured and could no longer play football but concentrated on basketball. He was captain of the Purdue men's basketball team his senior year, all Big Ten, and was a member of the All Kodak Classic Team. He held various records at Purdue and still holds the individual single season free throw percentage record. In 1988 he was voted into the Silver Anniversary Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Team. Upon graduation in 1967 from Purdue, he went to work at the family company and Henry went on to be President/Owner of Lafayette Tent and Awning Company, Inc. in 1974. He was a member of the Indiana Manufacturers Association, International Association of Fairs and Festivals, American Rental Association, Downtown Business Member, and Industrial Fabrics Association International. Henry put his heart and soul into his company. He has aided in the mentoring of thousands of young men by teaching them that "there is no substitution for hard work". Lafayette Tent and Awning Company will turn 100 years old in 2013, founded by Henry J. Ebershoff I in 1913 and is a Lafayette landmark. Henry was a member of St. Mary Cathedral and attended St. Ann's Catholic Church. He was also a member of the John Purdue Club, Moose and Elk Lodges. Henry was a charitable donor to many organizations in the community. He annually attended the Indianapolis 500 race for the past 50 years and only missed one. He enjoyed spending time with his friends at The Pub and Hop's Shawnee Tavern in Lafayette and wintering in the fabulous Florida Keys. In 2000 he married the former Lana Timmons and she survives. He is also survived by three sons, Richard Ebershoff, II (wife, Janet), Scott Ebershoff, and Craig Ebershoff (wife, Erin), two step-sons, Brandon Blankenship (wife, Heather) and Nate Timmons, his sister Susan E. Ebershoff-Coles (husband, Wayne), and seven grandchildren. Henry deeply loved his family, his pets Rockie and Izzy, and was loved by many. He will be greatly missed by the many people he touched in his life. Today, to honor Henry at this sad time, please commit one random act of kindness to another. That was how Henry Ebershoff lived his life. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Almost Home Humane Society and CASA for Kids Tippecanoe County, or the charitable organization of your choice. Peace be with you. Visitation 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Hippensteel Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Ann's Catholic Church with Father Dominic Young officiating. Burial to follow at Spring Vale Cemetery. Hippensteel Funeral Home entrusted with care. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com