Waldo “Jon” Garner, age 79, passed away peacefully in his chair at his lifelong home in Vassar, on the morning of August 12, 2026. He was born on March 8, 1947, in Saginaw, MI. to Waldo and Ann Adell (Schell) Garner.

He attended the nearby Baker Country School for elementary school. One of Jon’s favorite memories from elementary school was; they had a Christmas Program every year, Jackie, as he was called then, forgot his “piece” (line) so he sang “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”, in its entirety.

He attended Vassar High School, graduating in 1965. He enjoyed the drama and speech clubs, he was especially proud to be on the state champion debate team coached by his favorite teacher Kathleen Asher and was a Thespian in the true sense of the word. He also enjoyed pheasant hunting, fox hunting, goose hunting, deer hunting and fishing. After farm work in the warm and humid Michigan summers, he enjoyed a trip to Sand Point (Caseville) to Aunt Gladys’ cottage to refresh.

His favorite summer activity was exhibiting Guernseys and Quarter Horses at the Tuscola County Fair as a 4-H member of the Jr. Horsemen and Cattlemen. The fair circuit extended into neighboring Bay and Saginaw Co. culminating in exhibiting at the Michigan State Fair in Detroit and the State 4-H Show at Michigan State University. In addition to the livestock Jon showed, he also participated in the State 4-H public speaking contest. He had to dash across campus to give his speech from the cattle ring, and arrived after the time allotted, but convinced the judges to listen to his speech, “The Wax in the Big Cow’s Ear” and emerged victorious in the contest.

He attended Michigan State University majoring in Agriculture Communication, earning his Bachelor of Science in 1965. While at MSU he was a member of the Block and Bridle Club and was the chair of renowned Block and Bridle Horse Show. Jon’s favorite textbook in college was the Livestock Judging and Evaluation Manual co-authored by Dr. Harland D. Ritchie (Jon’s mentor and friend) and H. L. Merkle. Jon remained a loyal Spartan until the day he died. He married Nancy Finck while in college and raised a family of three children, Kristi, Jackie and Dan, in Vassar.

Jon returned to the now five-generation family farm, after a short stint teaching high school agriculture in Holton. Jon became a lifelong farmer, even on holidays and at family gatherings farming consumed his conversations. Many of his peers sought his advice on plant and animal genetics and annual yield results. He studied the annual yield results and put them to use the following year.

Jon loved people and he loved to tell stories whether it was a group of one or one hundred, he told them with the same passion, over and over again. Have you heard the one about the four nuns on the bus in Washington D.C. or goose hunting in the Shiawassee flats? The Round Table for breakfast at the Oasis or the “O” as it is fondly called was the site for hours and hours of these stories.

He also had great love for November 15th. Jon loved deer hunting and he especially loved deer hunting in the UP. So many colorful stories were told around the dinner table and card table from Camp 19 where he and his storytelling mentor, Slim Jackson, who gave him a lifetime of stories to tell, traveled annually and later “the shack” in Wakefield.

In addition to his livestock, he shared a passion for his dogs, from his first beagle puppy, Frosty, to his favorite pointer, Duke.

Jon is survived by his wife Martha Garner and sister Roxann (Dutch) Guthrie and his children Kristi (Tim) Barber, Jackie (Chad Brown) Garner, and Dan (Shauna) Garner, and grandchildren Kirk, Shaun (fiancé Shay Martinez) and Jill Barber, Eryn (Jarred) DeWyse, Corynn Diedrich (fiancé Cory Nowiski), and Laiken, Brynn and Elsie Garner and great granddaughter Riley Piazza-Clark and another on the way, stepson Brian (Jena) Becker and step grandchildren, Kent, Colt, Caleb, Kyle, Cam, Cash, Knox, Natalie, and another due in December. Very heartfelt thanks to Emily Butterfield RN, hospice nurse for her compassionate care for both Jon, and his sister Suzanne.

Jon was predeceased by his parents Waldo and Ann Adell Garner, sister and brother-in-law Suzanne and Bob Martinson, stepson Danny Becker and numerous hunting and fishing buddies, who have kept his hook baited and ready.

The family will receive friends at the Hanlin Funeral Home, 1148 W. Saginaw Rd., Vassar, on Friday, August 14, 2026, from 3-7 PM and on August 15th, from 10 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM. Burial services will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Vassar. The family invites everyone to a luncheon following the service. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to Friends of Tuscola Fairgrounds Horse Arena in care of Jackie Garner, 8066 Willard Rd., Millington, MI 48746.