F. Earl Garner Obituary (1932 - 2016)

F. Earl Garner, 84, of Blue Mound, IL passed away on Monday, February 22, 2016 at St. Mary's Hospital. A service to celebrate Earl's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 26, 2016 at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Blue Mound. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday with a Masonic Rites service following at 7:00 p.m.. Earl will be laid to rest next to his wife Mary in Hall Cemetery with military rites provided by the U.S. Naval Honors Team. Memorial contributions may be directed to First Christian Church of Blue Mound. Earl was born on January 2, 1932 in Parnell, KY, the son of Charles E. and Luella (Hollars) Garner. He earned his Master of Science in Education degree from Millikin University in 1963. He taught 8th grade at Blue Mound Elementary School, 6th grade at Little Mound Elementary School and Parsons Elementary School. He retired after 38 years of teaching in 1992. Earl was also a crop hail adjuster for 45 years. Earl married Mary Alice Schultz on August 15, 1954. She preceded him in death on February 15, 2015. He served proudly in the U.S. Navy. Earl was a member of First Christian Church of Blue Mound where he served as an elder and Blue Mound Masonic Lodge #682, AF&AM. He was an avid card player, pool player and enjoyed traveling with his wife Mary. Earl is survived by his children: Mary Susan Ramsey and her husband Gene of Delavan, IL, Betty Jean Garner of Peoria, IL, Joanne Frances Kersey and her husband Ken of Blue Mound, IL and Jack Earl Garner and his wife Kenya of Herrin, IL; grandchildren: Rebecca Jean Rodeffer and her husband Kevin, Brian Thomas Ramsey and his wife Akiko, Jessica Shalayne Kersey, Melissa Rae Kersey, Allison Elaine Kersey and Benjamin Alan Kersey; great grandchildren: Chloe, Micah, Jaden, Isaac, Cala and Cora; half-brother: John Edd Garner and his wife Melba of Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one brother and six sisters. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.