Joseph M. Garner, 73, Dedicated Fan of Cleveland Cavaliers and Indians
Joseph M. Garner, 73 of Vermilion, passed away Saturday, June 20, 2009 in EMH Regional Health Center following a short illness.
Born in Promiseland, Arkansas, he graduated high school in Canalou, MO in 1954 and has lived in Vermilion since 1960.
Joe was a U.S. Air Force Veteran. He worked at the Lorain Ford Assembly for 32 years, retiring in 1992. He was a UAW member and a former Teamster. He was a past patron (1982 and 1985) of the Order of Eastern Star Madeleine Chapter 204, member of Ely Masonic Lodge 424 in Vermilion, member of the P.B. Morgan Chapter R.A.M. #233, 32 Degree Mason, Valley of Toledo, member of Zenobia Shrine, Toledo, and a member of American Legion Post #397 and AMVETS Post 22, both in Vermilion.
He was a dedicated fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians, and was an avid hunter (bow and arrow and gun), boater and fisherman. He enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening, was a member of two ballroom dance clubs, was an active member of the Democratic Party and volunteered at Community Health Partners in Lorain for 15 years.
He is survived by his wife of one year, Jane; mother, Sunshine Garner of Vermilion; daughters, Renae (Ray) Born and Teresa "Jeannie" (Edward) Lampe, both of Henrietta, Liza (Allen) Johnston of Vermilion; son, Joe (Betsy) Garner Jr. of Virginia Beach, VA; brother, James Luther Garner of Jacksonville, FL; sister, Connie Goldcamp of Columbus; grandchildren, Drew (Jessica) Weber, A.J. Born, Erica Born, Jessica Hoyman, Cassandra Lampe and Leia Hoyman and one great-granddaughter, Brianna Weber.
He was preceded-in-death by his 1st wife of 48 years, Patsy Devonis (nee Phillips) Garner, father, James Luther Garner Sr. and sisters, Patricia Ann Leonberger, Sondra Lou Namath and Leila Montez Brixie.
A memorial service will be on Thursday, June 25, 2009 beginning at 4:30 pm at the United Church of Christ Congregational, 990 State Road, Vermilion. The order of service will begin with members of Ely Masonic Lodge 424, following next the Order of Eastern Star Madeleine Chapter 204 O.E.S., followed by Reverend Wendell Brooker, pastor of UCC Congregational. Private burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion.
Memorial contributions may be made to Zenobia Shrine OASIS, 1511 Madison Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43624 or LifeBanc, PO Box 73972, Cleveland, Ohio 44193.
Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com