Velma Garfield

Velma May Garfield, age 96, of Lamar, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2012 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.      Velma was born June 29, 1916 at Watseka, Illinois, the second-born and only daughter of the six children of Harrison and Letha (Wood) Tuttle.  Due to her mother’s health, Velma took on many of the responsibilities of caring for her five brothers.  On May 14, 1938, at Kentland, Indiana, she married Earl Garfield and they had shared 56 years together before his death December 7, 1994.  Velma was also preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, William, Ray, Clyde, and Glenn Tuttle; and a grandson, Michael.      Moving to Barton County in 1948, Velma and Earl farmed and raised their four children in the Oakton community west of Lamar.  Whether milking cows or hauling grain, Velma met and exceeded every challenge presented her as a farm wife.  She was a wonderful homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother, leading her family by Christian example.  She was an active member of Oakton United Methodist Church and a true prayer warrior for her family and friends.      Survivors include two sons and their wives, Walter & Jane Garfield and Rev. Larry & Dorris Garfield all of Lamar; two daughters, Virginia and husband Joel Berry, Lamar, and Rev. Sharon Garfield, Kansas City, Missouri; a brother, Maurice Tuttle, Snyder, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Norma Tuttle, Yuma, Arizona and Dorothy Garfield, Haysville, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Terry Garfield, Tracy Booth, Pam Coble, Greg Berry, Erin Lawrence, Chris Berry, Rev. Mark Garfield, Rev. Kent Garfield, and Rev. Bryan Garfield; 31 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.      Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 14th at Oakton United Methodist Church where the family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time Friday.  Burial will be in Lake Cemetery in Lamar.      Memorial contributions are suggested to Oakton United Methodist Church Building Fund or Grace United Community Ministries in care of Daniel Funeral Home.