Van Dyke Garner, 68, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 4, 2018. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Cherri Lynn (Gale) Garner, five children and ten beautiful grandchildren: his son, Jim (Lucy) Garner and children Erin, Kelly, Lindsey, and Luke; his daughters, Christi Garner; Suzanne (T.J.) Ruesch and children Trista, Whitney, Thomas, and Wesley; Katharine Garner; Vanessa (Jon) Pedersen and expectant child (due Dec. 2018). He is preceded in death by his parents, Darrell and Betty Garner; brother, Leslie Garner; sister, Rosemary Steele; and granddaughter, Brynnehilda Lynn Pedersen.
Van graduated from Mesa High School in 1968 where he played football, earned his Eagle Scout Award with multiple palms, and participated in Boys State. Van served an honorable two-year mission for his church in São Palo, Brazil, and learned to speak Portuguese. Days after returning home from his mission, Van met his sweetheart, Cherri, at a wedding reception and they were married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on January 26, 1973. Van attended Arizona State University, majoring in business and accounting. His ingenuity and drive led him to open American Building and Cement Products and later, Admix International, where he formulated and sold admixtures for cement products, for which he holds several patents.
Van was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed being in the great outdoors, camping and fishing with his family and friends. Although Van experienced physical challenges with Parkinson’s disease, his strong work ethic, determination, and positive disposition never faltered. He will be remembered for his kindness, gentle and loving spirit, and his unwavering service to his family and faith.
A viewing will be held Monday, November 12, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at 10:00am, preceded by a second visitation at 9:00am at the Lazona Ward building, 1500 East 6th Avenue, Mesa, Arizona 85204.
It was an honor and a privilege to know Van for the last several years. He was a loving and caring person who welcomed me into his family with open arms. I will forever remember our talks and the impressions he left on me. He loved and cared for his family and friends like no other. My thoughts and prayers are with his entire family and i know he will be watching over them everyday with a giant smile on his face. Rest in peace sir, thank you for everything and i hope the fishing is plentiful up there.
Sorry for your loss!
Love and prayers for your entire family. I haven’t seen Van since high school. My memories are of a great student, wonderful teammate and a genuinely dear friend. My heart is very sore for your loss.
My deepest sympathy for you and your family.XX OO Andrea D’Amico
The Garner family became special to me over the last few years. Van and Cherri welcomed me into their home for holiday occasions.I saw a loving and dedicated family.I’m so sorry for your entire family’s loss.
My deepest sympathy to all of you on your loss. I love you all and think of you always. God bless you…
Van was a great guy , his passing is a loss to all of us
Van was a great one. An example to all of us boys in the 19th Ward. A great leader who we all looked up to. It was a blessing to know him.