Kermit E. Garner

Kermit E. Garner, 89, of Ossian, Indiana, and former longtime resident of Decatur, Indiana, passed away on Friday, September 25, 2026 at Ossian Health and Rehab.

He was born on April 19, 1937 in Adams County, Indiana to the late Joe and Mae (Blount) Garner.

Kermit was united in marriage to Daisy M. Irwin on May 29, 1955 in Bobo, and she preceded him in death on April 9, 2020. He then married Rita M. (Ehrsam) Winans on August 8, 2021.

He was a member of Decatur Church of God, where he served on the building and grounds committee and taught Wednesday night youth.

Kermit was a 1955 graduate of Pleasant Mills High School. Following graduation, he worked for Central Soya and General Electric in Decatur. He then worked in production at International Harvester for thirty years until his retirement in 1991. In his retirement, he found a calling in working for North Adams Community Schools as a bus driver, assisting in the transportation of many handicapped children for twelve years.

He served his country for two years in the Indiana Air National Guard.

Kermit’s children remember years of camping, boating, fishing and bowling. Being involved in his community, he volunteered as a baseball coach in Decatur, Pleasant Mills, and Monmouth for their baseball leagues.

Survivors include his wife, Rita M. Garner of Ossian, Indiana; son, Joe (Karen) Garner of Decatur, Indiana; son, John (Donna) Garner of Decatur, Indiana; son, Jim (Debra) Garner of Wolcottville, Indiana; daughter, Janet (Paul) Wilder of Coldwater, Michigan; son, Jeff (Lisa) Garner of Decatur, Indiana; step daughter, Carol Sue Hill of Decatur, Indiana; step son, Tim (Janet) Clouse of Birdseye, Indiana; twelve grandchildren, Kristine (Dan) Brotherton, Beverly (John) Schirack, Amy (John) Wilson, Steve (April) Garner, Missy (Chad) Baughman, Holly (Nathan) Haines, Jaime (Andy) Wilder, Heather Garner, Eric (Jodie) Garner, Ashley (Justin) Weil, Trisha Garner, and Dylan Garner; eighteen great-grandchildren; four step grandchildren; and three step great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Dixie Hurst and Gloria Hakes; his granddaughter, Kimberly Garner; and step son-in-law, Allan Hill.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at the Decatur Church of God with Pastor Brent Doster officiating. Burial will follow in Decatur Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur and one hour prior to services on Wednesday at the church.

Preferred memorials may be given to Decatur Church of God Children’s Ministry.

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana