SIKESTON -- Wilburn Austin "Russ" Garner, 90, died at 2:45 p.m. March 25, 2012, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.
Born Oct. 12, 1921, in Hornersville, he was the son of the late Wiley Houston Garner and Effie Elizabeth McArthur Garner. He first worked for Brown-Root Pipeline Construction in Oran and in 1950, was employed by Associated Natural Gas until his retirement in 1986. He owned service stations and car lots in the Sikeston area, and at one time he and his wife owned and operated B&R Paint Store. He was a member and former deacon of Shady Acres Church of Christ where he was active in all capacities. He served for over 33 years with the Sikeston Volunteer Fire Department and had served as their arson inspector. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a life member of the VFW in Morley and Sikeston and was post commander from 1965-66.
On Oct. 17, 1943, in Benton, he married Beulah D. Dawson, and she preceded him in death on April 23, 2010.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, two sisters and one grandson.
Survivors include: one son, Chris Garner of Sikeston; three daughters and sons-in-law, Delores "Dee" Hairston-Jones and Ted Jones and Sheila and Jim Wheetley of Claremore, Okla., and Judy and Eddie Anderson of White House, Tenn.; two brothers, Carroll Garner and Loman Garner of Sikeston; one sister, Nola Pattengill of St. Louis; and 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Blanchard Funeral Chapel. Visitation will continue from 10:30-11:45 a.m. Friday at the Shady Acres Church of Christ, where services will follow at noon. Patrick Hogan and Johnny Hester, ministers of Shady Acres Church of Christ, will officiate.
Burial with full military honors will follow at 2 p.m. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Todd Broda, Josh Wheetley, Elizabeth Ralsten, Mandy Walker, Logan Smith and Lucas Smith.
Honorary pallbearers will be: Edsel Wylie, Joe Karnes, Bill Littleton, Jerry Kelley, Jim Howell, Benny Hesselrode, Chester Bell, James McGee, Brent Shanks and Don Moore.
Online condolences may be sent at blanchardfuneral.com.
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Memorial contributions
may be made to:
Scholarship Fund
Shady Acres Church of Christ
or
Make-a-Wish Foundation
or
St. Jude Children's Hospital