Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison, 27, of New Bethlehem, Pa., died June 6 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Joey was on his fourth tour of combat duty. He had no problem putting his life on the line for his country. He is survived by mother, Natalie L. Schoonover of DuBois; his father, Joseph David Garrison of Hitterdal, Minn.; two sisters, Judy Rupp and her husband Seth of New Bethlehem and Kimberly Garrison Knoll and her husband Aries of Tiverton, R.I.; a brother, Jacob "Jake" Garrison of Dubois; his fiancee, Brittney Nicole Stephens of Jacksonville, N.C.; a niece and nephew, Adalyn and Rylan Rupp; and his grandparents, Sharon and Ken Kunkle of New Bethlehem, Michael and Shirley Long of Boca Raton, Fla., and Phyllis and John Slimm of Elijay, Ga.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, William Garrison. From exploreClarion.∼Oil City--The Derrick
June 7, 2011
Redbank Valley graduate killed in Afghanistan 2011-06-07 / Front Page
By Judith O. Etzel
Staff Writer
A Redbank Valley High School graduate has been killed while serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in southern Afghanistan.
Sgt. Joseph Garrison, 27, died as a result of a roadside bomb explosion Monday in Afghanistan.
The Marine lived in Armstrong County just over the county line from New Bethlehem, Clarion County.
He is a 2002 graduate of Redbank Valley High School in New Bethlehem where he was an outstanding high school wrestler. He also played football.
His family was notified of his death by Marine Corps officials on Monday.
Note: Other reports state several Marines were killed by rocket attacks.
##########################
Sergeant Joseph Michael Garrison was the son of Natalie Schoonover of DuBois, Pennsylvania and David Garrison of Hittedal, Minnesota.
Both parents survive, along with two sisters, Kimberly Knoll, and her husband Aries, of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and Judy Rupp and her husband, Seth, of New Bethlehem, and a brother, Jacob "Jake" Garrison of DuBois.
Also surviving are his grandparents Sharon and Ken Kunkle of New Bethlehem, Michael and Shirley Long of Boca Raton, Florida, and Phyllis and John Slimm of Elijay, Georgia.
Raised in Distant, PA, Armstrong County, he chose to stay to finish school at Redbank Valley High School when his mother and siblings moved from the area before his senior year. He was a junior high wrestler and spent four years on the varsity squad. Affectionately know as "Joey", he lived with several area families while finishing his education.
He joined the Marine Corps in August 2002.
Sgt. Garrison returned to Afganistan in January 2011, serving his fourth tour of duty. He was promoted to Sgt. Oct. 1, 2007, and was serving as an infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Sgt. Garrison deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom November 2004 to June 2005, January to May 2006, May to August 2009 and most recently in January 2011. He was proud to be a Marine and was committed to serving his country
His awards include two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a NATO Medal.
He had become engaged to wed Brittney Nilcole Stephens, of Jacksonville, NC, on Oct. 23, 2010. .
His residence was in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC.
He was a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Penn State football team.
Garrison's favorite quote was from President Ronald Reagan--"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they make a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
According to the Leader-Times newspaper, June 9, 2011, "The family is honoring Garrison by creating a memorial scholarship in his name. They asked that donations go to the scholarship fund."
A Marine Corps honor guard will accord full military honors at the service and interment of Sgt. Garrison.
Residents of New Bethlehem and the surrounding area were deeply saddened by the demise of Joey and he will be greatly missed and always remembered for his courage, dedication, and service.
###########################
Obituary--The Derrick
June 13, 2011
Sgt. Joseph Michael Garrison, 27, formerly of New Bethlehem, was killed in Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmend, Afghanistan, on Monday, June 6, 2011.
Born on Sept. 21, 1983, in Canton, Ohio, he was the son of Joseph David Garrison and Natalie L. Long Schoonover.
He is survived by mother, Natalie L. Schoonover of DuBois; his father, Joseph David Garrison of Hitterdal, Minn.; two sisters, Judy Rupp and her husband Seth of New Bethlehem and Kimberly Garrison Knoll and her husband Aries of Tiverton, R.I.; a brother, Jacob "Jake" Garrison of Dubois; his fiancee, Brittney Nicole Stephens of Jacksonville, N.C.; a niece and nephew, Adalyn and Rylan Rupp; and his grandparents, Sharon and Ken Kunkle of New Bethlehem, Michael and Shirley Long of Boca Raton, Fla., and Phyllis and John Slimm of Elijay, Ga.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, William Garrison.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Redbank Valley High School in New Bethlehem.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Oakland Church of God in Distant with full military honors.
Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery, Mahoning Township, Armstrong County.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor and memory of Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison to the Oakland Church of God at P.O. Box 40, Distant, Pa., 16223.
The Alcorn Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
*********************
A fundraiser for a memorial for Joey has been started.
An effort to have the bridge crossing Redbank Creek in New Bethlehem named after him is also in the works.
June 7, 2011
Redbank Valley graduate killed in Afghanistan 2011-06-07 / Front Page
By Judith O. Etzel
Staff Writer
A Redbank Valley High School graduate has been killed while serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in southern Afghanistan.
Sgt. Joseph Garrison, 27, died as a result of a roadside bomb explosion Monday in Afghanistan.
The Marine lived in Armstrong County just over the county line from New Bethlehem, Clarion County.
He is a 2002 graduate of Redbank Valley High School in New Bethlehem where he was an outstanding high school wrestler. He also played football.
His family was notified of his death by Marine Corps officials on Monday.
Note: Other reports state several Marines were killed by rocket attacks.
##########################
Sergeant Joseph Michael Garrison was the son of Natalie Schoonover of DuBois, Pennsylvania and David Garrison of Hittedal, Minnesota.
Both parents survive, along with two sisters, Kimberly Knoll, and her husband Aries, of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and Judy Rupp and her husband, Seth, of New Bethlehem, and a brother, Jacob "Jake" Garrison of DuBois.
Also surviving are his grandparents Sharon and Ken Kunkle of New Bethlehem, Michael and Shirley Long of Boca Raton, Florida, and Phyllis and John Slimm of Elijay, Georgia.
Raised in Distant, PA, Armstrong County, he chose to stay to finish school at Redbank Valley High School when his mother and siblings moved from the area before his senior year. He was a junior high wrestler and spent four years on the varsity squad. Affectionately know as "Joey", he lived with several area families while finishing his education.
He joined the Marine Corps in August 2002.
Sgt. Garrison returned to Afganistan in January 2011, serving his fourth tour of duty. He was promoted to Sgt. Oct. 1, 2007, and was serving as an infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Sgt. Garrison deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom November 2004 to June 2005, January to May 2006, May to August 2009 and most recently in January 2011. He was proud to be a Marine and was committed to serving his country
His awards include two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a NATO Medal.
He had become engaged to wed Brittney Nilcole Stephens, of Jacksonville, NC, on Oct. 23, 2010. .
His residence was in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC.
He was a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Penn State football team.
Garrison's favorite quote was from President Ronald Reagan--"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they make a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
According to the Leader-Times newspaper, June 9, 2011, "The family is honoring Garrison by creating a memorial scholarship in his name. They asked that donations go to the scholarship fund."
A Marine Corps honor guard will accord full military honors at the service and interment of Sgt. Garrison.
Residents of New Bethlehem and the surrounding area were deeply saddened by the demise of Joey and he will be greatly missed and always remembered for his courage, dedication, and service.
###########################
Obituary--The Derrick
June 13, 2011
Sgt. Joseph Michael Garrison, 27, formerly of New Bethlehem, was killed in Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmend, Afghanistan, on Monday, June 6, 2011.
Born on Sept. 21, 1983, in Canton, Ohio, he was the son of Joseph David Garrison and Natalie L. Long Schoonover.
He is survived by mother, Natalie L. Schoonover of DuBois; his father, Joseph David Garrison of Hitterdal, Minn.; two sisters, Judy Rupp and her husband Seth of New Bethlehem and Kimberly Garrison Knoll and her husband Aries of Tiverton, R.I.; a brother, Jacob "Jake" Garrison of Dubois; his fiancee, Brittney Nicole Stephens of Jacksonville, N.C.; a niece and nephew, Adalyn and Rylan Rupp; and his grandparents, Sharon and Ken Kunkle of New Bethlehem, Michael and Shirley Long of Boca Raton, Fla., and Phyllis and John Slimm of Elijay, Ga.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, William Garrison.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Redbank Valley High School in New Bethlehem.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Oakland Church of God in Distant with full military honors.
Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery, Mahoning Township, Armstrong County.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor and memory of Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison to the Oakland Church of God at P.O. Box 40, Distant, Pa., 16223.
The Alcorn Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
*********************
A fundraiser for a memorial for Joey has been started.
An effort to have the bridge crossing Redbank Creek in New Bethlehem named after him is also in the works.
Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison, 27, of New Bethlehem, Pa., died June 6 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Joey was on his fourth tour of combat duty. He had no problem putting his life on the line for his country. He is survived by mother, Natalie L. Schoonover of DuBois; his father, Joseph David Garrison of Hitterdal, Minn.; two sisters, Judy Rupp and her husband Seth of New Bethlehem and Kimberly Garrison Knoll and her husband Aries of Tiverton, R.I.; a brother, Jacob "Jake" Garrison of Dubois; his fiancee, Brittney Nicole Stephens of Jacksonville, N.C.; a niece and nephew, Adalyn and Rylan Rupp; and his grandparents, Sharon and Ken Kunkle of New Bethlehem, Michael and Shirley Long of Boca Raton, Fla., and Phyllis and John Slimm of Elijay, Ga.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, William Garrison. From exploreClarion.∼Oil City--The Derrick
June 7, 2011
Redbank Valley graduate killed in Afghanistan 2011-06-07 / Front Page
By Judith O. Etzel
Staff Writer
A Redbank Valley High School graduate has been killed while serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in southern Afghanistan.
Sgt. Joseph Garrison, 27, died as a result of a roadside bomb explosion Monday in Afghanistan.
The Marine lived in Armstrong County just over the county line from New Bethlehem, Clarion County.
He is a 2002 graduate of Redbank Valley High School in New Bethlehem where he was an outstanding high school wrestler. He also played football.
His family was notified of his death by Marine Corps officials on Monday.
Note: Other reports state several Marines were killed by rocket attacks.
##########################
Sergeant Joseph Michael Garrison was the son of Natalie Schoonover of DuBois, Pennsylvania and David Garrison of Hittedal, Minnesota.
Both parents survive, along with two sisters, Kimberly Knoll, and her husband Aries, of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and Judy Rupp and her husband, Seth, of New Bethlehem, and a brother, Jacob "Jake" Garrison of DuBois.
Also surviving are his grandparents Sharon and Ken Kunkle of New Bethlehem, Michael and Shirley Long of Boca Raton, Florida, and Phyllis and John Slimm of Elijay, Georgia.
Raised in Distant, PA, Armstrong County, he chose to stay to finish school at Redbank Valley High School when his mother and siblings moved from the area before his senior year. He was a junior high wrestler and spent four years on the varsity squad. Affectionately know as "Joey", he lived with several area families while finishing his education.
He joined the Marine Corps in August 2002.
Sgt. Garrison returned to Afganistan in January 2011, serving his fourth tour of duty. He was promoted to Sgt. Oct. 1, 2007, and was serving as an infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Sgt. Garrison deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom November 2004 to June 2005, January to May 2006, May to August 2009 and most recently in January 2011. He was proud to be a Marine and was committed to serving his country
His awards include two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a NATO Medal.
He had become engaged to wed Brittney Nilcole Stephens, of Jacksonville, NC, on Oct. 23, 2010. .
His residence was in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC.
He was a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Penn State football team.
Garrison's favorite quote was from President Ronald Reagan--"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they make a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
According to the Leader-Times newspaper, June 9, 2011, "The family is honoring Garrison by creating a memorial scholarship in his name. They asked that donations go to the scholarship fund."
A Marine Corps honor guard will accord full military honors at the service and interment of Sgt. Garrison.
Residents of New Bethlehem and the surrounding area were deeply saddened by the demise of Joey and he will be greatly missed and always remembered for his courage, dedication, and service.
###########################
Obituary--The Derrick
June 13, 2011
Sgt. Joseph Michael Garrison, 27, formerly of New Bethlehem, was killed in Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmend, Afghanistan, on Monday, June 6, 2011.
Born on Sept. 21, 1983, in Canton, Ohio, he was the son of Joseph David Garrison and Natalie L. Long Schoonover.
He is survived by mother, Natalie L. Schoonover of DuBois; his father, Joseph David Garrison of Hitterdal, Minn.; two sisters, Judy Rupp and her husband Seth of New Bethlehem and Kimberly Garrison Knoll and her husband Aries of Tiverton, R.I.; a brother, Jacob "Jake" Garrison of Dubois; his fiancee, Brittney Nicole Stephens of Jacksonville, N.C.; a niece and nephew, Adalyn and Rylan Rupp; and his grandparents, Sharon and Ken Kunkle of New Bethlehem, Michael and Shirley Long of Boca Raton, Fla., and Phyllis and John Slimm of Elijay, Ga.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, William Garrison.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Redbank Valley High School in New Bethlehem.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Oakland Church of God in Distant with full military honors.
Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery, Mahoning Township, Armstrong County.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor and memory of Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison to the Oakland Church of God at P.O. Box 40, Distant, Pa., 16223.
The Alcorn Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
*********************
A fundraiser for a memorial for Joey has been started.
An effort to have the bridge crossing Redbank Creek in New Bethlehem named after him is also in the works.
June 7, 2011
Redbank Valley graduate killed in Afghanistan 2011-06-07 / Front Page
By Judith O. Etzel
Staff Writer
A Redbank Valley High School graduate has been killed while serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in southern Afghanistan.
Sgt. Joseph Garrison, 27, died as a result of a roadside bomb explosion Monday in Afghanistan.
The Marine lived in Armstrong County just over the county line from New Bethlehem, Clarion County.
He is a 2002 graduate of Redbank Valley High School in New Bethlehem where he was an outstanding high school wrestler. He also played football.
His family was notified of his death by Marine Corps officials on Monday.
Note: Other reports state several Marines were killed by rocket attacks.
##########################
Sergeant Joseph Michael Garrison was the son of Natalie Schoonover of DuBois, Pennsylvania and David Garrison of Hittedal, Minnesota.
Both parents survive, along with two sisters, Kimberly Knoll, and her husband Aries, of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and Judy Rupp and her husband, Seth, of New Bethlehem, and a brother, Jacob "Jake" Garrison of DuBois.
Also surviving are his grandparents Sharon and Ken Kunkle of New Bethlehem, Michael and Shirley Long of Boca Raton, Florida, and Phyllis and John Slimm of Elijay, Georgia.
Raised in Distant, PA, Armstrong County, he chose to stay to finish school at Redbank Valley High School when his mother and siblings moved from the area before his senior year. He was a junior high wrestler and spent four years on the varsity squad. Affectionately know as "Joey", he lived with several area families while finishing his education.
He joined the Marine Corps in August 2002.
Sgt. Garrison returned to Afganistan in January 2011, serving his fourth tour of duty. He was promoted to Sgt. Oct. 1, 2007, and was serving as an infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Sgt. Garrison deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom November 2004 to June 2005, January to May 2006, May to August 2009 and most recently in January 2011. He was proud to be a Marine and was committed to serving his country
His awards include two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a NATO Medal.
He had become engaged to wed Brittney Nilcole Stephens, of Jacksonville, NC, on Oct. 23, 2010. .
His residence was in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC.
He was a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Penn State football team.
Garrison's favorite quote was from President Ronald Reagan--"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they make a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
According to the Leader-Times newspaper, June 9, 2011, "The family is honoring Garrison by creating a memorial scholarship in his name. They asked that donations go to the scholarship fund."
A Marine Corps honor guard will accord full military honors at the service and interment of Sgt. Garrison.
Residents of New Bethlehem and the surrounding area were deeply saddened by the demise of Joey and he will be greatly missed and always remembered for his courage, dedication, and service.
###########################
Obituary--The Derrick
June 13, 2011
Sgt. Joseph Michael Garrison, 27, formerly of New Bethlehem, was killed in Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmend, Afghanistan, on Monday, June 6, 2011.
Born on Sept. 21, 1983, in Canton, Ohio, he was the son of Joseph David Garrison and Natalie L. Long Schoonover.
He is survived by mother, Natalie L. Schoonover of DuBois; his father, Joseph David Garrison of Hitterdal, Minn.; two sisters, Judy Rupp and her husband Seth of New Bethlehem and Kimberly Garrison Knoll and her husband Aries of Tiverton, R.I.; a brother, Jacob "Jake" Garrison of Dubois; his fiancee, Brittney Nicole Stephens of Jacksonville, N.C.; a niece and nephew, Adalyn and Rylan Rupp; and his grandparents, Sharon and Ken Kunkle of New Bethlehem, Michael and Shirley Long of Boca Raton, Fla., and Phyllis and John Slimm of Elijay, Ga.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, William Garrison.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Redbank Valley High School in New Bethlehem.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Oakland Church of God in Distant with full military honors.
Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery, Mahoning Township, Armstrong County.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor and memory of Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison to the Oakland Church of God at P.O. Box 40, Distant, Pa., 16223.
The Alcorn Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
*********************
A fundraiser for a memorial for Joey has been started.
An effort to have the bridge crossing Redbank Creek in New Bethlehem named after him is also in the works.
