Charles "Chuck" Garner, Sr., age 83, joined his beloved wife, Marcella, in heaven on Saturday, April 15, 2006. He passed away peacefully in his home in Republic, Mo. Chuck was born on September 27, 1922, in Pilot Point, Texas. he was united in marriage to Marcella Geren on March 18, 1948. They were the loving parents of five children. Chuck served in World War II in the 149th Engineer Combat Battalion. He was on Omaha Beach D-Day and in campaigns through France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Germany. Chuck was awarded four bronze battle stars, arrowhead, a Presidential citation and the Purple Heart. When he returned home from World War II, he moved to California to work on the railroad. It wasn't long before the hills of Missouri called him home where he met his future wife and partner, Marcella. After starting their family, Chuck went to work for the Springfield Police Department. He was called to serve his country again in the Korean War. Home for good, he joined the Greene County Sheriff's Department where he worked as captain of the uniformed division. Chuck also worked for the U.S. Department of Justice and ended his 50 years of public service with the Republic Police Department. At the age of 79 years, Chuck was interviewed by Tom Brokaw for a broadcast on the Today Show honoring him for being the oldest working police officer in the United States. Chuck was a lifetime charter member of the VFW in Republic where he served many years as its commander. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Republic, American Legion, Republic Kiwanis, Masonic Lodge Willard #620, Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple, Military Purple Heart, Law Enforcement Officers Assoc., and a willing helper to his wife's legacy, People Helping People. Chuck was a loving husband, father and friend. We will miss his great sense of humor and all his BIG stories. Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Marcella; a son, Larry Garner; and a grandson, Chris Garner. Survivors include a son and his wife, Charley and Paula Garner, Republic; two daughters and their husbands, Nancy and Gary Spencer, Battlefield, and Penny and Lee Horn, Springfield; one sister, Bessie Carr, Kansas City; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; many other family members and a multitude of friends. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at Meadors Funeral Home, Republic. Funeral service with Masonic Rites will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, 2006, at the First Baptist Church in Republic with Revs. Steve Ward and Bert Miller officiating under direction of Meadors Funeral Home, Republic. Burial with full military honors by the Veteran's Memorial Team will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to People Helping People, Republic, in care of the funeral home.

(Source: Springfield News Leader)