Kenneth Garland

Kenneth R. Garland Sr., 88, of Harmonsburg Rd, Conneaut Lake passed away March 13, 2024, at home surrounded by family.

Ken was born November 28, 1935, in Ehrenfeld PA, a son of the late James J. and Anna Ryan Garland.  The family relocated from Ehrenfeld to Conneaut Lake while Ken was a child, and he grew up and graduated from Conneaut Lake High School in 1954. Ken had a desire to attend Edinboro University to study history and become a teacher but life happened and took work as a masonry laborer in the International Brotherhood of Laborers in Erie Local 603. A ferociously hard worker, he quickly set a high standard of work throughout his life until retirement in 1995.

While walking down the Midway at Conneaut Lake Park Ken noticed a girl that he had met walking with her aunt, and he stopped them and asked the girl to give him a chance.  That girl was Patricia Ann Jacobs, and they were married on January 2, 1959.  Pat predeceased Ken on May 7, 1996.

Ken was drafted into the US Army and rose to the rank of Sargent and served in Germany during the Berlin Crisis and the Cuban Missile Crisis.  He was honorably discharged in 1964. After his discharge Ken and family settled on Harmonsburg Road in Conneaut Lake and spent several years building a home for his family.  Ken and Pat greatly enjoyed the process of building their home together.

The important things in Ken’s life were to be a good husband and father and to work hard every day.  He loved to be outside working on or around his home.

An avid Pittsburgh Steeler fan Ken could be heard every Sunday cheering for them from his favorite armchair.  In the last few years of his life, he took great pleasure in being with the staff and people at the Active Aging Bair Center in Linesville spending many hours reading and talking and laughing. Ken will be missed greatly.

He is survived by a dear friend, Marilyn Penfield of Linesville, son Kenneth Jr. (Patty) of Franklin, son Rich (Rena) of Murrysville, son Michael (Connie) of Meadville and a daughter Cheryl (Steve) Litwiler of Conneaut Lake, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, a sister, Beatrice G. Stiles of Fort Myers, Florida and sister-in-law, Betty Garland of Union City.

In addition, to his parents and his wife of 37 years, Pat, Ken was preceded in death by his three brothers: James J. Garland, Albert Garland, Thomas H. Garland, sisters, Bernice Cutshall and Linda Denison.

Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday, March 16 at Royal-Coleman Funeral Home 6028 U.S. Highway 6, Linesville from 10a.m. to 12p.m. with a service at 12pm and a lunch to be served at the Active Aging Bair Center, 237 S. Pymatuning St., Linesville immediately following the service.

A private internment will be held in Evergreen Cemetery at a date determined by the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Active Aging Bair Family Center, 237 S. Pymatuning St., Linesville, Pa 16424.

Please share a condolence or memory of Ken for the family at royalcolemanfuneralhome.com.