Walter "Bud" Garner, 82, of Martinsville, IL passed away 6:30 AM Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at his residence.
Bud retired in 1998 after 20 years of service as a custodian for the Martinsville School District. Over the years he had been employed at Kroger, had a Slagley Egg route, farmed and did carpentry work.
He was born in Anderson Twp. of Clark Co., IL, the son of John Russell Garner and Elizabeth Burger Garner. He first married Wonnona Willis on August 25, 1956 and she preceded him in death on August 28, 1988. He later married Wilma Ellington on Set. 21, 1990 and she preceded him in death on Nov, 14, 2003. Surviving are two sons, James Michael (Cheryl) Garner of Martinsville, IL and Brian Walter (Trish) Garner of O'Fallon, IL; grand children, Shanon and companion Michael, Grant and companion Jennie, Aletha, Kevin Jr., Nikki, A.J. and Tyler; great grandchildren, Paige, Jade, Ian, Tori, Roni, Julia and Jacob; a sister, Betty Rogers; two sisters-in-law, Irene Garner and Martha Garner and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a son, Kevin; five brothers, Bill, Jake, Lloyd, Leon and infant John and four sisters, Jane, Mary, Margaret and Edna.
He served this nation during the Korean War in the US Army from Feb. of 1953 to Feb. of 1955. He received the National Defense Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Ribbon. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post #5975.
Services in honor of his life will be 10:00 AM Saturday at Pearce Funeral Home in Marshall with Art Orndorff officiating. Burial will be in the Ridgelawn Cemetery at Martinsville with military graveside rites conducted by VFW Post #5975 and Clark Co. Post #90 of the American Legion. Visitation will be 4-7 PM Friday at the funeral home. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Lincolnland Hospice or the Alzheimer's Foundation. Online condolences are being accepted at pearcefuneralservices.com.