Ira Edward Garrett

The following is an obituary written the loving family.

Ira Edward “Ed” Garrett of Pittsboro, Indiana passed away, Sunday, October 8, 2023, at the age of 94, at home surrounded by his loving family and friends.  Known to many as “Grumpy Old Fart”.

Ed was born on November 5, 1928, to Jamie and Beulah (Staton) Garrett in Boone County, Indiana.  The family later moved to Pittsboro, Indiana, where Ed graduated from Pittsboro High School in 1947.  During high school he worked on the family farm and also hauled milk from farms to the Milk Building in Lebanon.  He continued to work on the family farm after high school.  

On December 10, 1948, he married Ruby Ilene Smith, a union that lasted over 53 years until Ilene passed away on February 24, 2002. They were blessed with two children, Gary Dean (deceased) and Peggy Jean.

Ed and his son continued farming as well as raising dairy cattle.  After Gary’s passing, Ed hired Buddy and Gene Blanton to assist with the farm, and they quickly became part of the family.  He assisted them in starting their own farming business where they eventually purchased Ed’s equipment when he retired.

He later married Shirley Hunt on June 5, 2004, and adopted all of her family, including five children, Brenda (Mike) Westerfield, Karen (Dave) Conarroe, Chuck (Stephanie) Hunt, Tom Hunt, Cheryl (Bruce) Williams, seven grandchildren, and six great-children as well as many nieces and nephews.

He also had a love of auctions and was a well-known ring man for many auctioneers.  He worked over 60 years in the auction industry.  He also had a passion for cast iron and guns and knives, and set up at flea markets and antiques malls for more than 35 years.     

He cherished time with his family and friends and loved any occasion to get together.  He loved traveling and spending his winters in Florida.

Preceding him in death along with his parents are his wife, Ilene; son, Gary; and brother, James Wayne (who passed in infancy).

Friends and family will gather at Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home on Saturday, October 14, 2023, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, with the funeral service beginning at 12:00 pm.  Ed will be laid to rest following the service at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon, Indiana, at 2:00 pm the same day.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Life Christian Church, P.O. Box 198, Lizton, Indiana, 46149, in loving memory of Ed Garrett.

Arrangements are entrusted to Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Pittsboro, Indiana.  All are encouraged to share thoughts, prayers, and memories with Ed's family on his memorial page found on the funeral home's website, www.ericmdbellfuneralhome.com . 

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