Obituary of Kenneth Grover 'Ken' Garner, 97

Kenneth Grover “Ken” Garner, 97, of Bellefonte, passed away on Friday, December 21, 2018, at Centre Crest Nursing Home, after a short illness.

Born on August 29, 1921, in Benner Township, he was the son of the late Joseph M. Sr. and Effie Mae (Houser) Garner. On April 8, 1945, in Bellefonte, he married the former Mary Agnes Ranio, who preceded him in death on April 20, 2009. They shared 64 years of marriage. Their only child, William K. “Billy” Garner, preceded them in death on February 18, 1963, at age 17.

Ken was a conscientious and hard worker all of his life. After attending the Boogersburg School and State College High School, from 1937 to 1944 Ken worked as an Agricultural Aide for the School of Agronomy at Penn State. During World War II, from 1944 to 1946, he served his country as a Truckmaster (Instructor) and held the rank of Corporal in the Service Company, 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Division of the U.S. Army in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre. From 1947 until his retirement in 1982, Ken worked for the National Gypsum Company and its successor, Domtar, in Benner Township, and was an active member of United Cement, Lime and Gypsum Workers International Union Local 92. In retirement Ken worked as a handyman, painting and installing roofs as well as flooring.

Ken was devoted to his family. Throughout Billy’s chronic illness, he and Mary diligently cared for him, and in Mary’s later years, Ken served as her primary caregiver. They were inseparable, and especially enjoyed taking care of their home, playing bingo, going to the NJ beach, and going out to eat together.

Ken was a faithful member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Bellefonte.

Ken was the last of his generation. In addition to his parents, wife, and son, he was preceded in death by his sister, Adelene I. Breon, and his brother, Joseph M. Garner, Jr. He is survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and many more relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 7, 2019, at 11am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 134 E. Bishop Street, Bellefonte, with Father George Jakopac officiating. Interm with military honors will immediately follow at the church. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc. in Bellefonte.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 134 E. Bishop Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823.