DON PAUL GARWITZ FEBRUARY 1, 1930 – APRIL 1, 2012
DON PAUL WAS WAS AN AVID “AUCTION REGULAR” AND A CHERISHED FRIEND. HIS HUMOR, LAUGH AND HELPFULLNESS WAS ALWAYS A BRIGHT SPOT IN THE DAY! HE WILL ABSOLUTELY BE MISSED….
Paul Donald (Don) Garwitz, 82, of Springfield, Missouri passed away on April 1, 2012 in his home. He was born February 1, 1930 in Springfield, Missouri. He married Patricia (Patti) Fielder on June 6, 1954. He grew up in Houston, Missouri and after graduating from high school, he joined the Air Force in 1947. He lived most of his adult life in Springfield. He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement career in the real estate business. One of his favorite activities was going to auctions. He loved going to the lake and fishing. He and Patti took several RV vacations traveling all over the United States. He loved any type of family gathering: holidays, birthdays and family dinners. Like many Grandfathers he thought his grandchildren could do no wrong. He was known for his quick-wit and clever sense of humor. He was strong-willed and independent. We are fortunate that these traits were still part of his personality on his final days. He was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) nearly a year ago. He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul Garwitz and Goldie Mae (Hilterbrand) Garwitz Lachmund. He is survived by his wife, of the home, his four children and their spouses, Gary and Karen Garwitz, Pat Allen, Gina and Mike Engleman and Jennifer and Mitch Martin; eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. His brother Robert (Bob) Garwitz lives in St. Louis.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 4 from 6-8 p.m. at Gorman-Sharpf Funeral Home. A private interment will be held at the Missouri Veterans’ Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield.