Obituary
Mr. Don Richard Garner, Greenwood, passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday, October 25, 2024. He was 91.Born on October 6, 1933, in Glasgow, Kentucky, he was the son of the late John Garner and Ivy Mae (Sloan) Peabody.
Don graduated from Emmerich Manual High School and soon after enlisted in the United States Army, where he served with dedication from 1954 until his honorable discharge in 1957. Don spent his career in the printing and graphics industry, working for 15 years as an engraver with Midwest Graphics, and previously for over three decades at Precision Rubber Plate.
A devoted member of Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Don served as a communion server and embraced his faith with unwavering commitment. In his personal life, he held a deep love for and collected various military weapons and firearms. A sports enthusiast, he cherished baseball and spent years coaching Little League teams, creating fond memories with his grandchildren and neighborhood children alike.
Don and his late wife of 60 years, Joan May (McKee) Garner, loved traveling together, enjoying family vacations to Florida and cruises. Known for his talent in repairing anything mechanical, Don was admired for his generosity, kindness, and genuine care for others. His warmth, humor, and willingness to lend a hand will be missed dearly by his family, friends, and all who knew him.
Don is survived by his sons, Ron (Joy) Garner and Rick (Kim) Garner; his grandchildren, Meredith (Greg) Hamilton, Jeremy (Lindsey) Willey, Jonathan (Ali) Willey, Michael (Erin) Garner and Dylan (Madison) Garner and five beloved great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in passing by his wife, Joan.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood. A contingent from the United States Army and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Military Honor Guard will confer military honors.
The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 11:00 AM until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation in Don’s memory, which will honor his legacy and the love he shared with those around him.