Virgil Lloyd Garton

Virgil Lloyd Garton, 79 years of age, of Diller passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. He was born on July 26, 1941 near Diller to Daniel and Jennie (Lottman) Garton. Virgil was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Diller. He grew up near Diller and started helping on the farm at an early age as he was milking cows and driving a tractor at the age of 8. Virgil graduated from Diller High School at 16 years old in 1958 and attended Fairbury Junior College. He was united in marriage to Judith Ann Lohman on July 16, 1961 at the Hope Evangelical and Reformed Church at Harbine. To this union, 3 children were born: Amy, Rick and Naomi. Virgil worked several jobs including putting up grain bins, as a welder at Cominco, as a district welder and inspector for 17 years at Natural Gas Pipeline, as a welder at TOPPS and outside of work, welded for farmers and friends. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Diller where he was active in many roles. Virgil was a jack of all trades and enjoyed being a boy scout leader, bow hunting, fishing, cutting wood, watching and feeding birds, playing and watching sports, time with friends and classmates and attending all the kids’ activities.

Virgil is survived by his children, Amy Breeden of Beatrice; Rick Garton and wife Annette of Diller, Naomi Harlan and husband Jeff of Beatrice; grandchildren, Danielle Breeden, Ryan Breeden and wife Brandy; Bradley Hawkins, Crystal Snyder and husband Tyler, Makayla Koch and husband Alex, Camden Harlan, Ciara Harlan, Jordan Harlan, Cody Harlan; great grandchildren, Quincy and Mikyla Breeden, Dru, Hoyt and Trey Breeden, Melissa Imig, Skylar Hawkins, Scarlett and Morgan Steensnes, Lexie and Gunner Snyder, Landon, Lawson and Layton Koch; sisters, Virginia Beckmann and husband Jerry of Lincoln, Maxine Davidson and husband Kurt of Syracuse; sisters-in-law, Vickie Garton, Cathy Akin, Jan Woodrum; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Judy on March 27, 2021; parents-in-law, Elmer and Pauline “Dolly” (Detter) Lohman; brother, Darwin Garton; sister-in-law, Marilyn Jones; and brother-in-law, Jim Akin.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, July 12, 2021 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Diller with Pastor Mark Liscom officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Prairie Home Cemetery near Diller. There will be no viewing but a register book will be available to sign from noon to 8 PM with family greeting friends from 4 to 6 PM Sunday, July 11, 2021 at Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice. Memorials are suggested to the family’s choice in care of the mortuary. Harman-Wright Mortuary & Crematory in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Virgil Lloyd Garton, please visit our floral store.