John Carl Garrels

John Carl Garrels, 59, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, passed away surrounded by family at 2:42 p.m. on April 9, 2024, after a battle with cancer.

John was born in Normal, IL on December 28, 1964; the son of Randel C. Garrels and Sharris Irene Garrels.  He is survived by his wife, Lisa Garrels, Mount Pleasant, SC; father, Randel C. Garrels, El Paso, Illinois; children; Randy (Cassie) Garrels, El Paso; Jonathan (Ashley) Garrels, Charleston, South Carolina; Megan (Chris) Petri, Cape Coral, Florida; Keera Stanford, El Paso, IL; Kayla Barnard, Kokomo, IN; Andy (Jessica) Barnard, Manchester, TN; Chelsea (Gerson) Perez-Rios, Silverdale, WA, Luke Barnard, Tempe, AZ; and 15 grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his mother.   John worked in the construction field for most of his life building houses, remodeling, or just about anything he could work on that involved wood.  John married his wife, Lisa, in 2003, and they blended their two families.  With a crew of eight children, John became more involved with the school district as a bus driver, a softball coach, a baseball coach, a football and basketball clock runner at events, a builder of musical props/sets, and just about anything the school asked him to help with.  He was an avid fan of the El Paso-Gridley Titans sports, especially when his children were participating.  John and his wife, Lisa, moved to South Carolina in 2014, where they embarked on a new adventure and started a business.  He was affectionately referred to by many as “Chunky” and employed around 30 young men throughout the past eight summers.  These young men became an extension of his family, and he loved them like his own children.

John was a true Chicago Cubs fan and was able to witness the Cubs in a World Series game in Cleveland alongside his father in 2016.   John loved to take Carnival cruises, play cards with family and friends, and watch his grandchild grow.

John was a loving husband, cherished father, and treasured friend/mentor to many.  He was admired for his work ethic, his love for fun and adventure, his sense of humor, and his love for people.  John, you will forever be in our hearts.  We will miss you.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, in El Paso, Illinois.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mt. Pleasant Chapel.