Alvin Garten

Alvin Adrian Garten, 80, of Pence Springs went to be with his Lord Friday, May 3, 2013 at the Lewis Gale Medical Center, following a short illness.

Born July 10, 1932 at Pence Springs he was a son of the late Otie Carl and Stella Ann Miller Garten.

Alvin was a lifelong resident of Pence Springs and a member of the Pence Springs Community Church, where he served as trustee for the past 24 years. He knew the church property thoroughly and loved every moment he spent there. A finish carpenter and electrician who worked for Ray Woodrum Construction prior to employment for the Summers County Board of Education until his retirement in 1995. Alvin served his country during the Korean Conflict obtaining the rank of Staff Sgt. in the U.S. Air Force.

Before he became ill, he was known for his lovely garden which he started from his own seeds. Especially his huge tomatoes, that he shared with his mail woman, doctors, friends, family and anyone whom he thought would appreciate them. Every morning he read his bible, then the Beckley newspaper and worked the crossword puzzle. Alvin was a storm spotter for the National Weather Service for 20 years and in earlier years he enjoyed spending time trout fishing with his family and friends.

Preceding him in death include three brothers, Harold J. ?Woofy? Garten, Garland L. Garten and Kenneth K. Garten; three sisters, Adena R. Maddy, Opal L. Wilson and Clorice G. Harris and son-in-law, George M. ?Mike? Kounse Jr. in 1980.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 52 years, Betty E. Wallace Garten of Pence Springs; one daughter, Enola Renee Garten Kounse of Pence Springs; one brother, Ronald Z. Garten and wife Bonnie of Moundsville; one sister, Lorene J. ?Lornie? Cales and husband Bob of Forest Hill; sister-in-law, Myrtle Garten of Moundsville; three children in his heart, Connie Buckland, Michael Neal and Matthew Montgomery; a special great niece whom he considered as a grandchild, Kassi Hedrick Coleman and several special nieces and nephews also survive.

While searching through his Bible for a special scripture, the following passage was highlighted, which is so fitting for his life found in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. ?To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die: a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted: A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to breakdown, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend and a time to sew; a time to keep silence and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, May 6, 2013 at the Pence Springs Community Church with Pastors Roger Persinger and Robbie Merritt officiating. Burial will follow in the Haven of Rest Cemetery at Pence Springs. Friends may call at the church from 10 AM until time of services. Nephews and great nephews will serve as pallbearers. Ernest Atwell and George Kounse Sr. will serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers the family requests that Gideon Bibles be placed in honor of Alvin.





Arrangements are by the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors of Hinton.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.ronaldmeadowsfp.com