Obituary of W. Garth Warner

W. Garth Warner entered into eternal rest on Saturday, August 19th, 2023, at his home on Sholtz Road, Oneida. He was born the second of five boys to Elmina and Stanley Warner on the family farm on Higginsville Road, Durhamville, New York. His birthday is March 26, 1926. That dairy farm had been in the family for several generations, and as he grew up working on the farm his parents were struggling to make ends meet because of the great depression. As was often the case, his grandparents also lived with the family. Of course, there was no electricity or telephones, but the strong ties of his church family and neighbors helped everyone to keep food on the table and cloths on their backs. When World War II was declared Garth was drafted into the army. Garth married Mayola Williams, a childhood sweetheart from in 1948. In the early days of their marriage, he worked washing windows and building houses and dreamed of becoming a shop teacher in public school. Eventually, at the age of 33, started his higher education journey attending Utica College night classes. After several years of part time school, he finally achieved his goal of a bachelor's degree in education. Then, after teaching fourth grade at Westmoreland Elementary School, he won a scholarship to the University of Rochester attaining his master's degree and returned to Westmoreland Central Schools as guidance counselor until his retirement in 1993. Garth and Mayola were deeply committed Christians and lifelong members of the Verona Seventh Day Baptist Church. They had four children and have families of their own. They are: Mark, Kevin, Wendy and James. Mark and Norma live in Westmoreland, Kevin and Julie in Marshall Virginia, Wendy in Virginia Beach, Virginia, James and Sharon in Gilbert Arizona. 8 grand 20 great grandchildren. In addition to "blood relatives" Garth and Mayola welcomed Yuko Koyama Fujii, a foreign exchange student from Japan into their home. Yuko continues to think of them as her American parents. In addition to his professional career, Garth was active in prison ministry, director of Seventh Day Baptist Church Camps, "The Power Company, teen singing group." and local chapter of Gideons International. Garth preferred to work in the background, but as one looks back, it is clear to see how the hand of God shaped this man's life for his 97 years on this earth. God only knows the number of people's lives positively affected by this unassuming servant. Garth's family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the caregivers who gave their dad special care to make his last days as comfortable as possible. Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday August 23, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Malecki Funeral Home Inc., 464 Sherrill Rd., Sherrill, NY. A funeral service will be held Thursday August 24, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Verona Seventh Day Baptist Church, 6775 Blackman's Corner Rd. Verona, NY with Garth's brother Rev. Glen Warner and Pastor Russ Johnson officiating. Burial will then follow in New Union Cemetery, Churchville, NY. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Church. Online condolences may be sent to the maleckifuneralhome.com