Gary Garton

VISITATION:

4-7 p.m., Monday, September 10 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel

and 10-11 a.m, Tuesday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 201 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls

SERVICE:

11 a.m., Tuesday, September 11 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 201 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls

Memorials may go to:

Chippewa Falls Optimist Club, PO Box 64, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729

Heyde Center for the Arts, 3 S. High St., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729

or to the charity of your choice

Gary L. Garton, 68, of Chippewa Falls, passed peacefully into eternal life Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at Wissota Health & Regional Vent Center Reflections in Chippewa Falls, surrounded by his loving wife, Donna Jean and sister-in-law, Dot Thornton, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born April 19, 1944 in Eau Claire to Ardis (Kirchhoff) and Clayton Garton. He grew up in Eau Claire and graduated from Memorial High School in 1962.

He served active duty in the U.S. Navy from August 1, 1962 until October 9, 1964; then continued in the Reserves until being honorably discharged in August 1967.

Gary owned and operated Garton Specialties for over 30 years. He also previously owned Blue Moon D.J. service.

He was actively involved in the Chippewa Falls Optimist Club for over 30 years, serving as President of the local club five separate times as well as Governor of the Winum District, and was a member of the Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce.

He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Chippewa Fallsand was honored to be able to sing in the church choir.

Gary was an avid bowler and was very proud of his 300 game; enjoyed golfing, fishing, and singing in the Cadott Community Theater. Gary loved acting in many plays at the Heyde Center for the Arts, such as Annie, The Sound of Music, The Boy Friend, Midnight at the Starlight, Escanaba in Da Moonlight, Prisoner of 42nd Avenue, and Chippewa Falls 1869, the Musical.

Gary and Donna Jewson Miller were married on April 28, 2004 at a Chippewa Falls Optimist meeting.

Survivors include his wife, Donna; his mother, Ardis Garton Crowe of Altoona; two sisters, Karen (Ralph) Miller of Shawnee, KS, Deb Brantner of Prior Lake, MN; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Margaret Jewson of Toledo, OH; two sons, Joshua (Jodi) Miller of Flint, MI, Jay Miller of Adrian, MI; a daughter, Jessica (Larry) Slade of Chippewa Falls; three sisters-in-law, Diana (Jim) Rettig of Longs, SC; Debbie Jewson-Valasek of Toledo, OH, Dot (Kim) Thornton of Whitehouse, OH; two grandchildren, Sami Miller, Jon Slade; nieces and nephews, Jennifer (Todd) Seabolt, Christopher Garton, Daniel (Joy) Brantner, Troy (Karen) Brantner, Jackie Brantner Waugh, Richard (Cindy) Miller, and Marla (Scott) Miller.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clayton Garton and brother Ken Garton.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, September 11 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls, with Rev. Terri Koca officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council immediately following the service. A celebration of Gary's life and a luncheon will be held following military honors in the church fellowship hall.

Friends may call from 4-7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 10 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church.

Many organizations were close to Gary's heart, at his family's request, memorials in his honor may go to the Chippewa Falls Optimist Club, Heyde Center for the Arts or to the charity of your choice.

AFTERSERVICE:

A funeral service for Gary L. Garton, 68, of Chippewa Falls, was held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, September 11 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Chippewa Falls. The Rev. Terri Koca officiated, music was provided by organist, Judy Brist and vocalist, Dick Kauphusman. Several family members and friends shared personal reflections.

Military honors were conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council and Cassandra Webber bugled "Taps." Casket bearers were Dan and Troy Brantner, Chris Garton, John Struthers, Jack Halbleib and Ralph Coushman.