REV. DARWIN GARTON

The Rev. Darwin Dan Garton, 61, died on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 at Eastmont Towers in Lincoln. He was born Sept. 22, 1954 at Odell to Daniel F. and Jennie E. (Lottman) Garton.

He was baptized Dec. 30, 1955 at home. On Oct. 29, 1976, Darwin married Vicki Sue Blanton of Lincoln. They had three children: Robert, Randall and Renea.

Over the years, Darwin worked as a welder, metal fabricator, shop foreman, and design engineer. His interests included fishing, hunting, playing cards and bowling.

Darwin was ordained into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Oct. 17, 2008. He served Edensburg Lutheran Church of Malmo, NE, Salem Lutheran Church of Wakefield, NE, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of rural Verdon, and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of rural Falls City.

Darwin is survived by his wife, of Lincoln; sons, Robert (Chrissy) Garton, of Wymore, and Randy (Amy) Garton, of Lincoln; daughter, Renea (Greg) Hastings, of Lincoln; granddaughters, Lydia and Lily Hastings, of Lincoln, Brigid and Clara Garton, of Wymore, and Gracie Garton, of Lincoln; sisters, Virginia (Jerry) Beckmann, of Lincoln, and Maxine (Kurt) Davidson, of Syracuse; brother, Virgil (Judy) Garton, of Diller; aunts, Gladys Moore, of Apple Valley, CA, Harriet Garton, of Beatrice, and Opal Garton, of Auburn, CA; sisters-in-law: Sherri (Bill) Berg, of Lincoln, Penny Tangney, of Overland Park, KS, and Patty Essink, of Grand Island; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Darwin was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law, Donna Ross.

The funeral service was held Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 at Evangelical United Lutheran Church in Lincoln, with the Rev. Neal Anthony, PhD, presiding and the Rev. Brian Maas, Bishop of the Nebraska Synod, ELCA assisting. Burial followed lunch at Prairie Home Cemetery, rural Diller. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, the Seminarian Support Fund of the Nebraska Synod, ELCA, or to family choice with Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, of Beatrice, in charge.