GAMBIER – Matthew Alan Garner, 64, of Gambier, formerly of Radnor, passed away March 14, 2022, at OSU Ross Hospital after a long battle with heart disease.
He was born on Dec. 16, 1957, to the late Ralph and Marilyn (Stone) Garner. Matt graduated from Grove City High School class of 1976.
On Aug. 25, 1978, he married Connie Sue Linebaugh and she survives.
Matt began his career at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office as a Mounted Deputy. In 1990 he became a full-time deputy; he held several positions while there, including weight enforcement division, warrant division and a road deputy. After 22 years of service, he retired in 2011.
Matt enjoyed spending time training and racing his harness race horses. He was a member of the United States Trotter Association and Ohio Harness Horse Association. One of Matt's passions was playing Santa Claus for different organizations every year, including the Prospect Lions Club.
Along with his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers James Garner and Ralph (Marty) Garner, sister-in-law Vickie Garner, father-in-law William Linebaugh, mother-in-law Charlene Linebaugh, brother-in-law John Salyer and sister-in-law Judith Salyer.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Connie Garner; his son Jason (Carrie) Garner of Galloway; daughter Lindsey (Eric) Crist of Prospect; his grandchildren whom he treasured, Hunter (Nicole) Taylor, Brianna Garner, Kaylee Crist, Gavin Crist, Noah Crist, Owen Crist and Adalynn Crist; his brothers Steve (Marian) Garner of Circleville, David Garner of Peebles, John (Deneen) Garner of Chillicothe, Bob Garner of Johnstown; sister-in-law Marilyn Furgeson of Middletown; sister-in-law Sandy (Mark) Nemes of Eastview, Kentucky; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and his special friends from the Delaware County Sheriff's Office.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m., Friday, March 18, at the Snyder-Rodman Funeral Center, 101 Valleyside Drive, Delaware, OH 43015. Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 19, at the funeral home with Pastor Steve Whitaker officiating, with burial to follow at Radnor Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to “Shop With A Cop,” in care of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, 149 N. Sandusky St., Delaware, OH 43015, or Venmo to Jason Garner@122979. The Snyder-Rodman Funeral Center is honored to serve the Garner family. To leave a condolence, or to share a memory, please visit snyderfuneralhomes.com.
