Lawrence K. "Larry" Garton

LAWRENCE "LARRY" K. GARTON, 68, of Bluffton, passed away Monday, May 17, 2004, 1:05 p.m., at home with his family. He had been ill since December. Born Jan. 1, 1936, in Craig-ville, he was the son of the late Wendell & Anna (Dubbs) Garton. Mr. Garton graduated from Bluffton High School in 1953, Manchester College with a B.S. Degree in 1957, and earned his Masters degree from Ball State University. In education for 35 years, he taught elementary school at Bluffton, Lancaster and Petroleum and was Principal at various schools including Rockcreek in Wells County, Aboite, Indian Meadows Brandywine Elementary and Doe Creek, from which he retired in 1992. He also coached basketball at various schools including Lancaster and Petroleum in Wells County. He was a member of the Wells County Retired Teachers Association, Moose Lodge, American Legion, First Baptist Church of Bluffton, and was an avid golfer. Mr. Garton married his first wife, Roberta Rumple, in Bluffton in 1956; she passed away in June 1998. He married Gelene "Jean" (Mechling) Murray Garton, Sept. 8, 2000, in Wells County, and she survives. Also surviving are sons, Lance K. Garton of Indianapolis, Clark L. "Cork" Garton of Fort Wayne; daughter, Mrs. DeWayne (Leslie) Whitaker of Indianapolis; stepsons, Linc Murray and Mike Murray, both of Warren, Jody Murray of Montpelier; stepdaughters, Kim Clark and Barbara "Barbie" Fugate, both of Bluffton; sister, Barbara Rowe of Auburn; three grandchildren; 20 step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and seven step-great-grandchildren. Funeral service is 10 a.m. Thursday at Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home, Bluffton, with Pastor Rich Secor officiating. Calling is from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Additional calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, when Mr. Garton will be taken to the Pasco Funeral Home in Greenfield. Graveside service is 11 a.m. Friday at Greenfield City Cemetery. Preferred memorials to Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana.