Laurel J. Garver

He was born Friday, October 4, 1940, in Muncie, the son of Carl and Margaret (Gale) Garver. First and foremost, Laurel was a family man. He was a devoted husband, dad, grandpa, and pop pop. Laurel graduated from Yorktown High School in 1958. He worked at Riggin’s Dairy for over twenty years. Laurel also owned and operated Garver’s Landscaping since 1957. He played hard, worked hard, and did not retire until he was eighty years old. Laurel loved spending time with his family at their Chapman Lake cottage. He was well known for his famous homemade ice cream. Laurel was a member of the Muncie First Church of the Nazarene and the Yorktown Lion’s Club.

Survivors include his wife, Jo Ellen (Canale) Garver; children, Brett (Laura) Garver, Laura Heckman, and Bart (DeAnn) Garver; stepson, George (Ami) Wimmer; stepdaughter, Jennifer (John) Gustafson; eleven grandchildren, Belinda (Dan) Shepherd, Benjamin Garver, Kalene Heckman, Melissa (Robbie) Eccles, Kyler (Sarah) Heckman, Emily Wimmer, Rachel Gustafson, Elizabeth Wimmer, Joseph Gustafson, Seth Gustafson, and Jack Wimmer; eight great-grandchildren, Connor Shepherd, Sophia Garver, Ellamae Heckman, Cooper Eccles, Lucas Eccles, Hadlynn Heckman, Kinley Heckman, and Elodie Fogle; brother, Charles Garver; sister, Verda Stinson; special friend, Gene Engle; several nieces and nephews; and his canine companion, Wink.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Margaret Garver; cousins, Wayne and Mary Lou Clark; a special friend, Kent Riggin; and his canine companion, Mugzie.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 West Kilgore Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47304 with Pastor Ian Fancher officiating. Burial will follow in Elm Ridge Memorial Park.

Family and friends may call from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at Elm Ridge Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions in memory of Laurel may be sent to the First Church of the Nazarene, 3101 North Benton Road, Muncie, Indiana 47304 or to the Yorktown Community Schools Foundation, 2311 South Broadway Street, Yorktown, Indiana 47396.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at elmridgefuneralhome.com for the family.