Edward R. Garrett

Edward Rudolph Garrett, 91, of Milan, Illinois passed away peacefully at home on March 7,

2023.

Funeral services will be 10:30am Monday March 13, 2023 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan. The visitation will be held on Sunday, March 12th from 3:00-6:30pm, with a Masonic Service at 6:30pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Chapel Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the Children’s Diabetes Foundation in Aurora, CO or the Chapel Grove Cemetery in Milan, IL where Ed served as president for more than 30 years

He was born to Ellis C. and Mina J. (Hanna) Garrett from Rock Island on April 7, 1931. He

was a 1948 graduate from Rock Island High School where he was an outstanding wrestler and

track athlete. He was a member of the 1947 state wrestling championship team and was a state

qualifier this senior year.

He married his high school sweetheart Barbara Ann Gillespie in 1951. Together they started

their family and put down roots in Milan. Edward served in the US Navy from 1950-1954 on a

USS Wren destroyer during the Korean War.

Ed was the past president of the Milan Rifle Club and a lifetime member of the National Rifle

Association. He was a gun safety instructor for many years and was recognized as an expert

marksman and awarded numerous medals for his extraordinary abilities. He was a member of

the Andalusia Masonic Lodge and attained the degree of 32nd; a member of Shriners in

Davenport, IA; and a member of the Illinois Valley Blacksmith Association developing the ability

to craft almost anything out of metal or wood.

They purchased Garrett Family Farm in 1969 where he and his family raised cattle and crops for

more than 50 years. Along with farming, he loved the outdoors. His many interests included fishing,

hunting, canoeing, trail riding, cutting firewood, and watching the buffalo they raised for many

years.

Ed was an avid history enthusiast. You could always find him with his nose in a book, watching

Jeopardy, or in the early years rendezvousing with Barbara and friends in the mid-west region.

In 1985, Ed retired from Plumbers Local 25 as a master plumber with 30 years of service. He

served 26 years on the apprentice board and was a 67-year member of Local 25 Union.

Ed’s simple enjoyments were coffee with buddies each morning at the Reynolds feed mill,

watching high school and college wrestling, and sitting outside with a glass of wine with his

forever love, Barbara.

Ed is survived by his wife, Barbara Garrett. Their children Robin Weeks, Edward J. (Judy)

Garrett, Jeffery Garrett, Randy Garrett, and Jerry (Sue) Garrett; their grandchildren Jason

(Jennifer) Lofquist, Kyle (Lisa) Garrett, Cameron (Elizabeth) Garrett, Courtney Garrett,

Stephanie (Jim) Hampton, Amanda (Joel) Miller, Jake (Ashlee) Garrett, and Tyler Garrett; and

their 9 great-grandchildren Logan, Haley, Liam, Ellie, Brody, Rhett, Blakely, Leo, and Mazie. Ed

is proceeded in death by his parents Ellis and Mina Garrett and grandchild, Joshua Lofquist.

The Garrett family would like to express their thanks to Trinity Hospice for their excellent care

and kindness.

Online condolences may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward R. Garrett, please visit our floral store.