Ina Jean Garrison, 89, left this earthly life to meet her Lord and reunite with her husband, parents, two brothers, Clifford and Milford, oldest sister Mildred, and twin sister Inas, on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at 11:05 P.M. at Piatt County Nursing Home in Monticello, Illinois.

 

Although Ina and her twin always celebrated their birthdays on April 1, 1926, her actual birth date was April 2, 1926. Ina was born to Delmar and Onnie Burton on a rural farm outside of Deland, Illinois.

In August of 1947, she and her fiancé drove across country, stopped in Arizona, married and then settled in San Diego, California where Bud’s naval ship weighed anchor and docked every week. Ina worked as a housekeeper in a motel to augment their income while he was on the high seas.

 

They returned to rural Deland, Illinois in 1948 where their daughter Sheila was born. They farmed there until Bud went into the ministry and they moved to Lodge, Illinois to lead Lodge Church of God until 1955 when they moved to Decatur, Illinois where they led Second Church of God until their retirement in 1989.

 

Ina’s focus over the years were the children she babysat for, Sherry, Robin, Brad and the many little ones she and her assistant Rosie Pirtle taught in Sunday school class. She devoted her life to her husband and her church after Bud’s death, her beagle, Idgie and later Rusty.

 

She is survived by a daughter Sheila of Macon, Illinois, grandson James Sheets (Connie) of Cerro Gordo, Illinois, granddaughter Jodi Pierceall (Eric) of Oakley, Illinois, 4 great grandchildren Faythe, Emily (Emmie Jean), Jimmy (Bubba), and Thomas (Little buddy), 2 step great grandchildren, 2 step great great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and their families.

 

We would like to recognize the Halycion Unit of Piatt County Nursing Home for the excellent and loving care Ina received during her 4 years there.

 

Funeral services will be 12:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, with visitation from 10:00 A.M. until service time. Burial will be in Cerro Gordo Cemetery, Cerro Gordo, Illinois.

 

Memorials may be made to the Ina Jean (Burton) Garrison Memorial Fund at Bement Bank.

 

Condolences may be left to the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home at www.brintlingerandearl.com.