Christopher Wayne Garber
Christopher Wayne Garber, 60, North Manchester, died at 2:05 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was born Sept. 3, 1955, in Elkhart, to James K. and Helen Anne (Winger) Garber.
Chris was a 1973 graduate of Manchester High School, and received his Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and in Environmental Studies from Manchester University in 1977. He married Kathy Young in Celina, Ohio, on Aug. 1, 1981. He currently served as Vice President of Operations at Manchester University. Chris was the former North Manchester Town Manager, prior to working at the University.
He was the current President of the North Manchester Town Council, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the North Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Wabash County, member of the North Manchester Town Forum, the Manchester Economic Development Corporation, past President of the North Manchester Stormwater Management Board, past President of the North Manchester Redevelopment Commission, past President of the North Manchester Board of Public Works, Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the North Manchester Parks and Recreation, and a member of the North Manchester Redevelopment Authority.
Chris was also a member of the North Manchester Rotary Club, where he served two terms as President and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was very active on the North Manchester Fun Fest Committee, and also served on the Committee to Design and Build the Strauss Peabody Aquatic and Fitness Center. Chris received the North Manchester Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award in 2009.
He is survived by his wife: Kathy Garber; two sons: Joel (Erica) Garber; and Joshua Garber; four grandchildren: Emma Rose Garber; Jace Christopher Garber; James Charles Garber; and Eva Renae Garber; mother: Helen Anne Garber; and two sisters: Gloria Jan Barber; and Julie Lynne Garber, all of North Manchester. He was preceded in death by his father: James K. Garber; and his brother: Timothy James Garber.
Memorial services will be 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester with Pastor Kurt Borgmann officiating. Friends may call 1-4 p.m. Sunday, at the church. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, North Manchester.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Manchester Early Learning Center New Building Project Fund at the Community Foundation of Wabash County or Manchester University.
The memorial guest book for Chris may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.