John E. Garriott, age 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Cedar Community in West Bend.
He grew up farming in Morgan Township, IN, where he was born to Ernest & Ora Belle (nee King) Garriott, August 13, 1926. John married the late Bettiejane (nee Weddle) on June 8, 1952 at the Boone Grove Christian Church, IN, where he was a lifelong member. He was active serving on several church councils, choir member, teaching Sunday school and adult Bible study. He advocated for women to be elected as Elders and Deacons of the church & was instrumental in hiring their first woman pastor.
Farming was his life and passion, raising 4 daughters on their farm in Porter County, Indiana and encouraging each one to follow their independent interests. Upon retiring from farming, he continued his farming expertise by becoming a Master Gardener & Garst Seed salesman.
The family enjoyed many memorable family reunions & birthday/anniversary celebrations- if there was a campfire all the better!
John is survived by 3 daughters, Renee (Dave) Dahlin, Rita Rans, Rachel (Graham) Billingsley; grandchildren Nidja (Randy) Martinez, Zachary (Jisun) Markis, Ian (Dori Westfall) Rans, Bryce Fricklas, Skylar Smith; great grandchildren, Miranda (Sam) Jackson, Paige, & Jordyn Martinez. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.
John is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bettiejane, daughter, Rhonda Garriott, parents, son-in-law, Jon Rans, sisters, Ruth Proffitt, Joan Osenga, Betty Ketterman, & Marylou Allen, parents-in-law, Edgar and Lula (Robinson) Weddle, brothers-in-law, Craig (Mildred) Weddle, & Owen (Toni) Weddle.
A Memorial Service in remembrance of John will be postponed to a later date this summer.