Earl (Hank) Garner, 84

Earl (Hank) Garner, 84
Funeral Celebration of Life Services for Earl (Hank) Garner, age 84, of Lenox, who passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2019, was held Friday, December 27, 2019 at 3:00 PM at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox. Visitation was held one hour prior to services. Memorials be given in his name. Interment with military rites will be accorded at the Clearfield Cemetery in Clearfield. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox where we ‘Celebrate Life’.
Earl ‘Hank’ Henry Garner was born January 7, 1935 to Earl Garner and Bernice (Sandusky) Garner near Rock Port, Missouri. Hank entered into rest December 25, 2019 at the Clearview Home Mt. Ayr, Iowa at the age of 84 years. Hank’s early life was spent on a farm near Bedford, Iowa. He attended country school and graduated from Bedford High School with the Class of 1953. After graduation he entered the Army for two years serving his country honorably. He worked for the Taylor County Department of Roads for over 40 years.
On February 14, 1988 he was united in marriage to Caroline Nelson at his sister Cherilyn’s home in Shenandoah, Iowa. Along with Caroline came a large family that Hank loved very much. Hank cherished his times with them.
After retirement Hank and Caroline spent their days together enjoying life. They camped at various places, played cards everyday with their coffee and traveled to Branson watching several different musical shows, as they both had a love for music. They would eat out every evening at different places, but their favorite was the Windrow in Creston. Hank was a man that helped with anything for his family. We always knew we could count on Hank to be there for us.
Hank loved woodworking, he made so many different crafts out of wood for his family, while also having a frame making business with his brother-in-law, George Callison. If you knew Hank well, you would discover his hidden humor. Hank was a quiet man but always knew how to show his humor with surprisingly hilarious comments….he was a very funny man!!!
Hank always had pride in the way he looked, always dressed nice, hair in place, and you would always see him in his nice leather jacket. Hank also kept his home to perfection. His yard was immaculate, and if something needed repaired in his home, camper or vehicle he would be getting it repaired by the next day!! Hank and Caroline attended Presbyterian Church in Lenox with Pastor Tim Maxa. Not only was Tim their pastor whom they greatly respected, but also someone they considered a very close friend!
Hank was such a wonderful husband to Caroline. They supported each other in everything and took such good care of each other. Hank and Caroline had 32 years of an amazing marriage. They were so blessed to find each other! Each and every family member has so many wonderful memories of Hank, he will be missed by so many including family, life long friends, and employees and friends from Clearview Nursing Home.
Left to cherish Hank’s memory are his loving wife Caroline Garner of Mt. Ayr, IA; his sister Cherilyn (Jim) Ripley of College Springs, IA; sister-in-law Mildred Garner of Wakeeney, KS; his stepchildren Judy (Steve) Sandah; Jim (Debbie) Nelson; Jeanie (Greg) Larson; Kenny (Chong) Nelson; 9 step-grandkids; 18 step-great grandkids; along with many other family members and friends. In June of 2020, Hank would have been celebrating becoming a great-great-grandpa.
Preceding Hank in death are his parents Earl and Bernice Garner; two brothers, Gayle and Neal Garner; a nephew Allen Garner; and a ste-grandson, Chad Larson
Hank’s memory will be cherished by his family.
May he be at peace in God’s loving care.