Obituary: Cecil Gartner

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In memory of

Cecil Gartner

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City at the age of 87

Cecil R. Gartner was born November 27, 1921, in Platte, South Dakota, the son of Wallace and Ila Collene (King) Gartner. He grew up in Platte until 1930, when the family moved to Philip. Cecil received his education in rural schools in the area. After his schooling, he moved to Washington State where he worked on a wheat farm, prior to moving back to Philip where he worked for Mac McIlravy on his sheep ranch.

Cecil entered the United States Army on September 24, 1942. He was assigned to the 235th Engineering Battalion, stationed in Italy, Africa and the Philippines. He was honorably discharged on December 12, 1945.

After his honorable discharge, Cecil returned to Philip where he worked as a carpenter in the Philip-Kadoka area.

He was united in marriage to Eunice Conlee in 1947. They lived in Philip before moving to a farm-ranch in Milesville area where they remained until 1965 when they moved to a farm-ranch in Quinn. In the fall of 1972 they moved to Rapid City where Cecil did carpentry and construction work.

His wife Eunice preceded him in death on January 25, 1975. Later that year, Cecil returned to Philip where he worked construction and carpentry.

Cecil was united in marriage to Audrey (Schonrock) McIlravy on November 26, 1977, at the Presbyterian Church in Philip. They made their home on the farm-ranch north of Philip until moving into Philip in 1983. Although Cecil moved to Philip, he was still very active on the farm-ranch.

After Audrey’s death on August 26, 2000, Cecil remained in Philip, where he has since resided.

Cecil was a member of the United Church of Philip, the Masonic Lodge, VFW, and American Legion Post #173, all of Philip.

Survivors include three sons Danny Gartner and his wife Cathie of Gillette, Wyoming, Marty Gartner and his wife Debbie of Philip, and Todd Gartner and his wife Cheryl of Box Elder; two daughters Cindy Whitney and her husband Donald of Piedmont, and Jill Knight and her husband Sonny of Smithberg, Maryland; eleven grandchildren; one step-grandson; six great-grandchildren; two step-children Betty Bohlander and her husband Clarence of Sugar Grove, Illinois, and Robert McIlravy of Rapid City; one sister Evelyn Henricksen of Willmar, Minnesota; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his first wife Eunice and his second wife Audrey, Cecil was preceded in death by a daughter Brenda, and four brothers Francis, Harold, Herbert, and Cliff Gartner.

Visitation was held 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Friday.

Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 19, at the United Church in Philip, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.

Interment with military honors by the American Legion Post #173 of Philip, was at the Masonic Cemetery.

A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Friday, December 19, 2008—10:00 a.m.
United Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Kathy Chesney
MUSIC
Cynthia Finn –Pianist
Barb Bowen –Vocalist
“Amazing Grace”
"In The Garden"
"On Eagles' Wings"
USHERS
Karl Schulz - Ronnie Gartner
PALLBEARERS
Danny Gartner - Marty Gartner - Todd Gartner
Brandon Whitney - Coddy Gartner
Chase Gartner - Tyler Gartner
INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Wheeler-Brooks American Legion Post #173
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Visitation: 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip.
Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 19, at the United Church in Philip.
Interment: Masonic Cemetery.

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Our hearts go out to all of you. He will be missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers always.
God Bless,
Nathan, Brittney & Reghan ~ Nathan & Brittney Drury Philip, SD (12/16/2008)
Marty, Debbie and family
We are so saddened by Cecil's passing, but know that he wouldn't have wanted to be stuck in a nursing home. Karl will really miss his morning coffee buddy. If there is anything we can do please call. Take Care ~ Karl & Val Philip (12/16/2008)
Danny, Cathie, & Chase - So sorry to hear about Cecil. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family during this time of sorrow. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. You're in our prayers. Cheryl ~ Cheryl Hook Philip, SD (12/16/2008)
Deepest sympathy to all of Cecil's family. He will be missed. We are sad to hear of his passing. Sincerely. Cork and Bev ~ Cork & Bev Jahner Kerrville, Texas (12/16/2008)
Marty, Debbie and Family: I am so sorry to hear about Cecil. My prayers are with you all.
Take Care and God Bless. Terri ~ Terri Pelle Philip (12/16/2008)
Marty, Debbie & Family
We are sorry to hear of your loss. May the memories of your father and grandfather comfort you in this time. May God wrap his arms around you and hold you close
thinking of you
David, Michelle, Kelcey, Katie & Lukas Butler ~ Michelle Butler Philip SD (12/16/2008)
We are very sorry to hear of Cecil's passing. He was a good neighbor and always had a wave or hello for us. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Rocky, Chris and Family ~ Rocky and Chris Coyle and Family Philip, SD (12/16/2008)
I am sorry to hear of Cecil's passing. I have many fond memories from when you lived neighbors to us at Milesville. I enjoyed visiting with him several times when I was back in Philip. My sympathy to all of you. Elaine ~ Elaine Staben Bozeman MT (12/16/2008)
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Cecil's death. I had such good visits with him. Cecil could always make you giggle. I especially loved it when my dad (Rex Radway) and Cecil would get together. I learned a lot fro those visits!! Hold your memories of Cecil close to you heart. ~ Stacy Dole Black Hawk (12/16/2008)
Marty, Debbie, Coddy, Katrina, Tyler & Family - Our deepest sympanthy goes out to all of you at this time. Cecil always had a smile and friendly hello. Hold onto your memories of him and let us know if you need anything. You are in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Brock, Brittany, Taryn & Sawyer Smith Philip, SD (12/16/2008)
Danny & Cathie, Sorry to hear of your father's passing. Having just lost our father a year ago, we understand your feelings. Our sincere sympathy to you and all of the family, we will keep you in our thoughts, and prayers. Wally and Linda ~ Wally and Linda Bork Rapid City S.D. (12/16/2008)
Marty, Debbie, & family,
I was sorry to hear about Cecil's death. I had heard he had been hurt in a pickup accident, but didn't realize it was so serious. Cecil was always easy to visit with and was always in such a good mood (and teased me a lot) when he was in church. I will remember him fondly. ~ Mark Ford Sartell, MN (12/16/2008)
We will miss our many visits with Cecil. He was one of those people who made you smile when you saw him coming. He was very expressive when he talked to us and his willingness to let us see both his happy side and his more inner side with accompanying emotions was very touching to us. He felt deeply about the people in his life and about his service to our country. We are so happy that he was able to get around by himself. It would have been very difficult for him to have his independence taken from him. He was so proud that he was still going out to help hay and do such other things that need to be done on a farm. Yes, we are going to miss Cecil and feel blessed to have known this very nice man. ~ Gay and Holly Philip (12/16/2008)
I never have met Cecil but so much was told to me about him from Jill his daughter who married my brother Sonny. I am sorry to hear of the loss of your father. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Our Loss but Heavens Gain. May God give you comfort and peace during this time.
Bob and Ga (Virginia) ~ Virginia Poole Mount Airy, Maryland (12/16/2008)
Marty, Debbie, Coddy, Katrina, Tyler & Family - My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. He will be greatly missed. If there is anything I can do for your family, please do not hesitate to call. God bless each of you. ~ Cassie Bennett Sioux Falls (12/16/2008)
We would like to extend our deepest regreats for your loss. We are siter and brother in-laws to Jill Knight. ~ Steve & Cathy Knight 756 Hidden Cove, Columbia marylan (12/16/2008)
Our love for our father is shared by so many. He always had a smile and a twinkle in his eye for all friends and family. Though we had tough times, he came thru with love and strength. I will miss him, but I know that he is with God and family and that keeps me at peace. May all know the love of God and Jesus and salvation unto the Lord. Dad, I love you forever and wait for reunion, Love Jill(still stubborn and strong) ~ Jill Knight 22045 Holiday Drive Smithsburg Md 21783 (12/16/2008)