Obit: Garbis, John B. (1953 - 2004)

Transcribed by: Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Garbis, McConnell, Gundlach, Harrison, Fowler, Heiderscheit, Berger, Krogman

---Source: Merrill Foto News (Merrill, Lincoln County, Wis.) Wednesday, 6 Oct. 2004; page 11

---Garbis, John B. (10 Oct. 1953 - 20 Sept. 2004)

John B Garbis, U. S. Navy (ret.) age 50, Berlin, died Monday, September 20, 2004, at his home with his family at his side.

John was born October 10, 1953, in La Crosse, the son of Archiemidis S. and Janice McConnell Garbis. He was a 1971 graduate of La Crosse Central High School. On November 24, 1973, he was united in marriage to Debra M. Gundlach in La Crosse.

John served his country on active duty in the U. S. Navy from February 1971 to January 1977, aboard the USS Constellation in the Vietnamese Theatre. He was decorated with the Naval Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, National Defense SVC Medal, Vietnam Service and Campaign medals, Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Naval Reserved Meritorious Service Ribbon and the Naval Recruiting Gold Wreath. Following his service time, John worked for the La Crosse Tribune; Beloit Memorial Hospital; Beloit; and Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill. In 1998, he joined Berlin Memorial Hospital and Community Health Network as their directors of facilities. He was active in the Merrill Loins Club, and after moving to Berlin, served on the Berlin Sewer and Water Commission, as present of Berlin Rotary Club, member of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and the "North Pearl Street Athletic and Advancement Society."

John is survived by his wife Debra; son Michael J., Eau Claire; daughter Nicole E. (Jeff) Harrison, La Crosse; granddaughter Kendall; sisters Jennifer Fowler and Paula (Charles) Heiderscheit, all of La Crosse. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday, September 24, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, La Crosse. Rev. Lawrence Berger officiated. Burial was in Burns Cemetery, La Crosse County.

The Barbola Funeral Chapel, 282 E. Marquette St., Berlin, Wi 54923 served the family. Rev. Phillip Krogman officiated at the Rosary service Thursday evening at the funeral home.

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