JD Garner
JD Garner, 80, New Paris, passed away Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.
He was born May 5, 1940, in Pulaski, Tenn. to John and Willie (Bee) Garner.
On Sept. 13, 1958, he married Judy K. Laird in Elkhart. She died Nov. 5, 2020.
Survivors include four sons: Michael (Cathy) Garner and Timothy Garner, both of New Paris; Brett (Monica) Garner of Goshen; and Rick Chapman of Elkhart; a son-in-law, Brian Clayton of Goshen; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Norma Jean (Eugene) Lumpkin and Linda Wray, both of Pulaski, Tenn.
Along with his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, James Dwight Garner; a daughter, Belinda “Bee” Clayton; a granddaughter, Julia Koch; great-grandsons, Drew Metzger and Jaxson James; two sisters, Ann Couch and Elizabeth Martin; and two brothers, Tom and Bill Garner.
JD owned Performance Fence and Deck and at one time had a tree trimming service. He trained and showed horses and had been active with the Elkhart County 4-H Horse Club. He was a hard worker and an all-around handy guy. A devoted husband and family man, JD loved his grandchildren. He enjoyed people and loved telling stories.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. The funeral service will start at noon at Yoder-Culp. Pastor Jason Rohde will officiate.
Burial will follow in Whitehead Cemetery, New Paris.
Memorial donations may be given to Alzheimer & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana.