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Garland Edward Dwiggins (b. 18 Jun 1911, d. 07 Mar 2002)
Garland Edward Dwiggins (son of James Edward Dwiggins and Zella Wardwell) was born 18 Jun 1911 in Orestes, Indiana, and died 07 Mar 2002 in Anderson. Indiana. He married Ruth Ingram on 01 Feb 1930 in Alexandria, Indiana, daughter of Robert L. Ingram and Luella Rush.
Notes for Garland Edward Dwiggins:
Garland Dwiggins was born in Orestes and lived most of his life in the community. He worked at home farming until he took a job at C.C. Hall Mineral Wool in Alexandria hauling stone from the quarry for processing. Hall invented rock wool and sold the Alexandria firm to John's Manville Corporation where Garland continued to work for over 10 years. He worked at the Aladdin Industries formerly of Alexandria , Pierce Governor formerly of Anderson and retired as a machinist from Lynch Machinery Corporation in 1974.
He was never chosen for military service and supported the troops by working in the factory. In the summer of 1948 he moved the family to San Leandro, California and he worked at the Dodge assembly plant. He was a conscientious worker and went to work many times when his health was not good. During the late 1950's he was plagued with ulcer problems and was in the hospital several times.
He was a devoted Christian of the Baptist faith and served as a Sunday School teacher, superintendent and an occasional lay minister at the Orestes Baptist Church. His was very devoted to his family and enjoyed the family garden, repairing lawn mowers, working in the yard and fishing. Whether it was working on the house or repairing the family car, he could do most anything.
Despite being in a family of talented musicians that could play most anything, his musical claim was the ukulele. He loved to strum and sing a few of the old standards, Old Shanty Town, Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue and one of the songs he loved most had lyrics "I've got a gal, she's so tall, sleeps in the kitchen with her feet in the hall...How I'm a doin'...hey, hey, hey.....too-to-too-to-to too!
Garland also enjoyed being a family barber out of necessity. When Frank was a young boy they took him to the barber and after a note worthy tantrum the barber suggested they bring him back another day when they had all regain their patience. No doubt the barber didn't really wish to repeat the session. Once they were home Garland's father had a pair of sufficient scissors so he decided to do the job himself. The plan worked fine and once the rest of the family heard about it, he was cutting the nephews, sons and grandsons, especially for their first haircuts. He cut the boys hair until they earned enough money to go to a genuine barber.
Ruth died in 1984 and the pain and suffering lessened his desire for living. In time he married Bernice Hopper. During the ten years they were married they maintained a home in Alexandria and traveled to Inverness Florida during the winter. They parted friends.
Garland decided with the help of son David to move into a comfortable retirement apartment complex, Southdale Tower, in Anderson where he could easily visit others and make new friends and be nearer to his sons living in Anderson, Markleville and Pendleton. He loved it and made so many new friends. He had it made in an eight-story apartment complex filled with women that were chasing him like teenagers.
He also made a very dear friend in Rev. Cliff Richards. they spent lots of time together in private and group devotions.
He ate his lunch meals with his new friends and visited with them in the social room and spent lots of time in the project room. He still managed to drive his Bronze colored Pontiac and traveled freely to do shopping and attend church. His apartment was on the top (8th) floor and he had a tremendous view of the farmland extending to the interstate to the south. He often watched the planes take off from Ace Airport on Columbus Avenue carrying the skydivers up to jump out. His patio always had flowers in the summer and even a few tomato plants. The apartment was in the center of the building at the top floor and the building's American flag hung from his patio overlook.
During his residency at Southdale he met a very dear and meaningful friend, Nema Smith. They soon were shopping together and accompanying each other to visit family and to go to doctor appointments. Nema was part of the family for sure attending the Dwiggins Family Christmas get-togethers in the clubhouse. As Garland was not able to get to the hospital for emergency care, she rode in the ambulance or transported him by herself. She was truly Dad's best friend and it showed on both of their faces.
Garland spent his final days in the Countryside Manor Nursing Home on Marine Drive. The employees there were professional and a great help to our family at a tough time. Eldest son Frank quietly, and without hesitation, took charge seeing to it that his every need was taken care of whether it be a personal or legal. His unselfish contribution was a Godsend for the family.
Obituary of Garland Dwiggins
March 7, 2002
Garland E. Dwiggins, 90, of Alexandria, died March 7, 2002, at Countryside Manor Healthcare Center in Anderson after an extended illness.
He was born June 18, 1911, in Orestes to Edward Dwiggins and Zella Wardwell Dwiggins. He lived in Orestes for most of his lifetime, having lived in Anderson for the past few years.
Garland worked at home farming until he took a job at C.C. Hall Mineral Wool hauling rocks from the stone quarry for processing. C.C. Hall sold the mineral wool business in Alexandria to Johns-Manville Corp. where Garland continued to work for 10 1/2 years. He then worked for Aladdin Industries, formerly of Alexandria. He later worked for Pierce-Governor, formerly of Anderson, and retired as a machinist from Lynch Machinery Corp., formerly of Anderson, in 1974.
Garland devoted his life to his family. He also served his Lord by working within His church. A former member of the Orestes Baptist Church, he was a Sunday school superintendent and teacher. He also served as a lay minister to the congregation. In more recent years he was a member of and attended the First Baptist Church of Alexandria. Garland now truly is "absent from the body, and present with the Lord."
Survivors include five sons, Francis "Frank" (wife, Donna) Dwiggins of Markleville, Robert (wife, Maxine) Dwiggins of Pendleton, Charles (wife, Clydene) Dwiggins of Crossville, Tenn., David Dwiggins and Garry (wife, Kathy) Dwiggins, all of Alexandria; 23 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and best friend, Nema Smith of Anderson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Mary Jo Dwiggins; his wife, Ruth (Ingram) Dwiggins, Aug. 9, 1984; sisters, Marie Hunt and Belle DeVore; brothers, Bob Dwiggins and Jack Dwiggins.
Service will be 1 P.M. Monday at the Owens Funeral Home, 412 N. Harrison St., with the Revs. Clifton Richardson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Alexandria, and Cliff Richards, longtime family friend. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, Elwood. Visitation will be 4 to 8 P.M. Sunday at the Owens Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Alexandria through the funeral home.
More About Garland Edward Dwiggins:
Burial: 11 Mar 2002, Elwood, Indiana - Sunset Memorial Park.
More About Garland Edward Dwiggins and Ruth Ingram:
Marriage: 01 Feb 1930, Alexandria, Indiana.
Children of Garland Edward Dwiggins and Ruth Ingram are:
- Mary Jo Dwiggins, b. 1930, d. 23 Aug 1932.
- +Francis Willard Dwiggins.
- +Robert Edward Dwiggins.
- +Charles Wendell Dwiggins.
- +David Lee Dwiggins.
- +Garry Allen Dwiggins.

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