Jeri Garner

Jeri Singleton Garner, 87, of St. Anthony, passed away at her home Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, after a brief battle with cancer. Her children were with her during her last days and at the time of her death.

Jeri was born July 30, 1924, in Ogden, Utah, the first child of Frank and Ruby Barney Singleton. She grew up in the Wilford area on the family farm. She attended Wilford and Sugar City schools.

She married the love of her life, William F. "Bill" Garner, and they raised five children: Kent, Larry, Billie, Vicki and Zack in St. Anthony. She and Bill were avid aviators, spending time with their children and aviation friends at many air shows. Bill passed away in 1972.

She became one of Jehovah's Witnesses when she dedicated her life and was baptized in 1951. She remained faithful to her God Jehovah all of her life, teaching her children the value of developing a precious relationship with him.

She enjoyed raising their family and spending time with them, helping Bill build his three biplanes, flying with Bill in the family plane and the PJ 270 Twin Cockpit Bi-plane he built so they could travel together to the air shows. Jeri also enjoyed the family skiing and ice skating excursions, air shows, camping, traveling, reading and being with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed people and loved life regardless of the challenges it presented.

Jeri considered her dedication to Jehovah God and her career as a devoted wife and mother her first priorities. They all intertwined. She also enjoyed the bookkeeping work while employed at Intermountain Block and the Rexburg Standard Journal. She also enjoyed investing in local real estate.

She is survived by three children, Billie Kirkham, Vicki Garner and Zack (Li Yan) Garner; daughter-in- law, Shanna Garner; six grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brothers, LaVerl (Patsy) Singleton, Duane (Gerri) Singleton and Darrell (Rayola) Singleton.

She was proceeded in death by husband, Bill; two sons, Kent and Larry; parents, Frank and Ruby; and sisters, Norma Angell and Sandra Harding.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 545 Old Yellowstone Highway in St. Anthony. At her request, cremation has taken place. Burial will be in Wilford Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family home in St. Anthony.

Jeri's family thanks Dr. Dane Dickson, Alliance Hospice and Bonnie Meyers for the loving care she received during her battle with cancer. The family also thanks all who sent cards, flowers, brought meals, called and came by to visit with her during the last weeks of her life. It made her feel loved and very special.