Eldon "Wayne" Garner

On the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, Eldon “Wayne” Garner was welcomed into everlasting life by the Lord above and all those he loved who went before him.

Wayne Garner was born into this world on Sept. 15, 1930 to Henry and Berniece (Canfield) Garner.  After moving from Oklahoma to NW Ohio, he met, fell madly in love with, and married Katherine “Katie” (Hensley) Garner.  She survives.  From that union, Wayne and Katie were blessed with 9 children.

A hardworking man all his life, he provided for his family for many years, never complaining.  A construction worker/laborer by trade, Wayne retired from Basic Lime in Bettsville, OH.  He later drove dump truck at Gordon Lumber for many years.  A “lazy” day was not something Wayne knew very well.  He was always on the go, always busy.

In his younger years, Wayne loved to hang out at the fishing hole with his brothers and boys.  Wrenching on vehicles was a hobby, and sometimes, a necessity.  Later in his life, you could find him enjoying the scripture, studying the Bible, and spreading his love for the good Lord above.  He was a man of few words, but there was a time that it wasn’t uncommon to find Wayne picking his guitar, and playing one of his favorite hymns, with Katie singing right along.  During the spring and summer months, you could find him in his garden, or feeding his cats and chickens.  If by chance you did find him indoors, he most likely was spoiling his beloved pup, “Sassy”, or working on his honey-do list from Katie, affectionally “Mom” by Wayne.

Wayne would have given someone a dime, when he only had a nickel.  Not a rich man by any means.  But if you told him you needed something he had, it was yours, whether he could spare it or not.  If you asked him for help, he was there, no questions asked.  He loved his wife, children and grandchildren with his whole heart.  Those whose lives he touched, who are left behind, will truly miss his presence.

Wayne was met at the gates of Heaven by his parents; brothers, Thomas, William, Elvon, Murrel, and Theodore Garner; sisters, Lenora Roth, Daisy Corbin, Mary Wheeler and Bessie Rubel; grandchildren, Jack Hensley, Jr., Mark L. Garner, Christle Stahl and John Garner, Jr.

Carrying on Wayne’s legacy of life and love is his wife of almost 71 years, Katie (Hensley) Garner of Bowling Green; children Jack (Sandra) Hensley of Risingsun, Paulette Andrich of Ypsilanti, MI, Mark (Kathy) Garner of Gibsonburg, John (Theresa) Garner of Jerry City, Judy (Vernon) Wall of Ponca City, OK, Kenneth (Kimberly) Garner of Wayne, Lenora (Dale Comer) Garner of Newcastle, WY, Carl (Donna) Garner of Bradner, Neil (Tammy) Garner of Bradner; 32 grandchildren; 69 great grandchildren; 24 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2-4 & 6-8 p.m., at the Herman-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gibsonburg where Funeral Services will be Friday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m.  Burial will be at Quinshan Cemetery, Gibsonburg.

Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice, Perrysburg.

To send an online condolence or to view Wayne’s tribute video, visit: www.hermanfh.com