Raymond Clinton Garber

Raymond Clinton Garber, 94, of Versailles, passed away Saturday, August 8, 2015, peacefully at his home. He was born December 30, 1920, on his familyís farm outside of Versailles, a son of the late Edwin and Elizabeth (Diener) Garber. On February 1, 1942, at the Versailles United Methodist Church, he was united in marriage to Susanna Elizabeth (Aeschbacher) Garber, who preceded him in death on June 7, 2015. They shared 73 years together, which created a wonderful family legacy. Ray graduated from Versailles High School in 1939. He later graduated from the University of Mortuary Science, Kansas City, Kansas in 1947. He served as a veteran of the United States Air Force to protect the ideals and freedoms held dear for his community and the country he loved. He retired as a First Lieutenant and was a flight engineer for various aircraft. With his wife Susanna by his side, Ray was stationed at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, Texas, Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada and Walker AFB in Roswell, New Mexico. Ray was a man of commitment. Besides his 73 year marriage and dedication to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was a man who provided for his community. He was employed by and/or owned and operated Kidwell-Garber Funeral Homes, Kidwell Granite Works and Garber Memorial Estates to serve the Versailles, Gravois Mills, Laurie and Sunrise Beach communities for a total of 70 years. After purchasing Kidwell Funeral Home in the 1970ís, Ray built upon the legacy of his mentor, Bill Kidwell, by developing the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel and Garber Memorial Estates to provide a higher level of service to a larger part of the Lake area. In addition to the present Kidwell-Garber, Inc., Ray was previously the owner of an ambulance service, Wilbert Vault and Sedalia Monument Company. Community and civic commitment were at the forefront of Raymondís priorities. He belonged to and led many organizations throughout the Versailles and Lake West area, as well as many organizations within the funeral profession. He was highly respected within his professional community for the expertise and service he provided. Ray, along with Susanna, was an unselfish, quiet benefactor in the lives of his family, as well as his community. Faith was the basis upon which Ray built his life, his family and his business. He loved and supported both of his lifetime churches ñ Bethel Mennonite Church and the Versailles United Methodist Church. Evident in each endeavor he embarked upon, his quiet demeanor, driven spirit and friendly voice were anchored by his faith in God and the promises he held dear from his Savior. His family is forever grateful for the example set by Ray, as well as Susanna; the reassurance and quiet comfort that God would provide and be the steadfast constant. With a strong work ethic and passion for his work at Kidwell-Garber, Ray never actually retired. However, he had a passion for travel and exploration. Along with Susanna, the couple drove to every state in the United States reachable by vehicle. Ray drove five roundtrips to Alaska, making the last when he was in his eighties. He rarely would be without Susanna, and truly enjoyed spending time with his sweetheart and the open road (and a new vehicle for each trip). Ray is survived by: his children, Sue Akin and Gary Garber, both of Versailles; his grandchildren, Suzanne Hall and husband Corey of Versailles, Nathan Garber and wife Michelle of Versailles, Landon Akin of Osage Beach and Michael Garber and wife Shannon of Versailles; his great-grandchildren, Ila Garber, Ethan Garber, Landri Hall, Rose Garber, Matthew Garber and Pearl Garber, all of Versailles; his brothers, Dennis Garber of Warrensburg, Mo. and Homer Garber and wife Twila of Versailles; his sisters, Ina McCormick of Bangor, Northern Ireland, Lena Alexander and husband Dick of Promise City, Iowa, Velma Reiss of Demorest, Ga., Mary Gehman and husband Dan of Lewistown, Mont. and Rosella Fulks of Latham, Mo. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: his siblings, Robert Garber, Pauline Wulff, Ed Garber, Bill Garber, Norman Garber and Violet Garber; his son-in-law, Larry Akin; as well as his granddaughter, Meredith Garber. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 12, at the funeral home with Pastor Lora Cunningham and Pastor Dave Zapf officiating. Graveside services and entombment with full military honors will follow at the Garber Family Mausoleum in the Versailles Cemetery with Suzanne Hall, Nathan Garber, Landon Akin, Michael Garber, Brian Graber and Mark Graber serving as casketbearers. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Versailles United Methodist Church or Bethel Mennonite Church. Expressions of sympathy may be left online at www.kidwellgarber.com. Arrangements are under the direction of his family: Sue, Gary, Suzanne, Nathan, Landon and Michael at Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.