Joseph Franklin Garner
May 18, 1940 ~ April 27, 2013
Joseph “Joe” F. Garner, 72, Sioux Falls, died Saturday, April 27, 2013, at the Sioux Falls VA Hospital, from lung cancer.
Visitation will begin at 5 pm, Thursday, May 9, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, with a Memorial services at 6:30pm. Chaplin Karen Hiller will officiate. Full Military Honors will follow.
Joseph Franklin Garner was born May 18, 1940, in Oklahoma City, OK, to Joseph and Velma (Stewart) Garner. He was one of two boys with four sisters. He was educated in Oklahoma until he left for the service during high school. Joe served in the US Army from 1957 to 1960 as a Medical Specialist, Dental Assistant and Medical Assistant. Joe returned to Gillette, WY when he was honorably discharged from the Army as his family had moved there. Joe worked in the oil fields, was a driver to haul pharmaceuticals from Casper, WY to Billings, MT, a 3,000 mile a week trip.
Joe moved to Sioux Falls in 2003 as he felt it was important for Miriam to be back in South Dakota; at home surrounded by her family. He worked for the last six and a half years at the Casey’s General Store on Sycamore Avenue until he became ill. Joe enjoyed his customers and work very much.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Miriam, Sioux Falls; one son, Vince, Klamath Falls, OR; two step-sons, Jeff (Rhonda) Whempner and Steve Whempner, both of Phoenix, AZ; one step-daughter, Lisa (Charles) Stotz, Dunkirk, MD; seven step-grandchildren; four sisters, Gwen Sullivan, Pine Haven, WY, Sue De Gaugh, Kay (Les) Haight, and Anita William, all of Gillette, WY; and one brother, Mike (Alvina) Garner, of Gillette, WY.
Joe was preceded by his parents in death.
Mom,
I am so sorry you lost Joe. I know you will miss him so much. You gave him a good life and took good care of him. Even though he is gone, just remember he is at peace and no more pain. He would not want you to be sad. He would want you to get out there and have fun. So sorry we can’t be there in SD now. We pray God give you strength.
Miriam so sorry for you loss! Joe has touched many people’s lives , He will be greatly missed!
Miriam,
We love you and want you to know you are in our hearts and prayers.
May God give you comfort during this time of sorrow.
You took very good care of Joe and I know you will miss him.
He will be in the arms of God now. There is no sickness in Heaven.
Joe was a pretty neat guy. I know he was a real hard worker at Caseys and will be missed. He was a wonderful husband to you as you were to him. 11 years you two were blessed. Know that he is not in pain anymore and will always be in your heart.
We”ll miss ya Joe:)
My sympathies go out to Joe’s family at this time of grieving. My lasting memories of Joe include his “Good Morning Richard” when I entered Casey’s on my frequent stops there over the years. Joe made you feel like an appreciated customer. Joe you will be missed, but good memories of you by many and certainly myself will remain.
Joe was a heck of a guy! I used to come into Casey’s every morning to grab a coke and he was always there to shoot the breeze and give me a hard time! He had a line for every reply I gave him and always brightened my day!
My sincerest sympathies,
Braden Smidt
It was a wonderful memorial service held for Joe. He touched many people’s lives and will be missed.
He is in a better place and no more pain. Keep his memories close to your heart.
Your sister, Delores