Irwin Harold ?Ernie? Garrels

Irwin Harold ?Ernie? Garrels, 93, of Danville, died on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at Great River Hospice House, in West Burlington.

The funeral service for Garrels will be held on Sunday, April 30, at 2 p.m., at Elliott Chapel, in New London. Rev. David Mixon and Rev. Randy Gearhart will officiate. Visitation will begin after noon on Saturday, with the family present to receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Burial will be at Long Creek Cemetery, in Danville.

Memorials have been established for Great River Hospice House, Long Creek Church and the American Cancer Society.

Garrels was born in New London on Dec. 2, 1923, the son of John F. and Ruth Beattie Garrels. He was a 1941 graduate of New London High School, and attended Burlington Business College. He married Helen Irene Hazen on March 30, 1947, at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church.

He was a lifelong farmer, and worked at the Iowa Ordinance Plant during World War II.

He was a member of Long Creek Methodist Church.

He enjoyed woodworking, planting trees, learning about the history of farming, reading, being outdoors, his dog, and spending time with his family.

Garrels is survived by his wife; one son, James Irwin (Joan Brooks) Garrels, of Beverly, Mass.; one daughter, Susan Irene (Mark) Larsen, of Louisville, Tenn.; one granddaughter; one step-grandson; and two step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Miles Garrels.