Thomas M. Garber, 97

November 07, 2015

Thomas M. Garber, 97, of Brethren Village, Lancaster, PA, passed away on November 7, 2015. Born in Elizabethtown, PA, he was a son of the late J. Hoffman and Laura Garber. Soon after his graduation from Indiana State Teachers College, he enlisted in the military and served for four years in the United States Air Force during World War II. He was located in England, North Africa, and Italy.

In 1945, he joined the family Ford business, Garber’s Garage, which was founded by his father in 1917. By 1946, two of his brothers, Henry M. and Joseph M., had also joined the enterprise then renamed Garber Motor Company. In later years, a Honda motorcycle franchise was obtained for Elizabethtown, and soon thereafter, a Honda motorcycle business was established in Lancaster.

Tom was active in the Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of Christ Church, United Church of Christ, where he served on the Church Consistory.

In 1984, he and his wife retired to Sugarmill Woods, Homosassa, Florida. For many years he was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Crystal River, Florida. Tom was always an avid tennis fan and played with the Sugarmill Woods Tennis Association men’s league until age 88.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Belle Garber, a son, Scott T. Garber, husband of Margaret in Landisville, PA, granddaughters Deborah Moore of Monkton, MD and Karla Mulrine of Columbia, PA, and great grandchildren, Kennedy Moore, Logan Moore, Kylie Mulrine, and Alexis Mulrine. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Dr. Elizabeth M. Garber and Helen M. Garber, and three brothers, Dr. J. Hoffman Garber, Henry M. Garber, and Joseph M. Garber.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 23, 2015 at the Chapel of Brethren Village, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17606. Interment will be at 12:15 PM, Mount Tunnel Cemetery in Elizabethtown following the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.