Marc Leigh Garrett, 64, of Marion, passed away at 2:00 PM, Thursday, July 31, 2025 at his home which has been in his family since 1818 and was cited by the State of Illinois as a centennial farm.

Marc was born on August 17, 1960, in Herrin to Herman and Judy (Bowman) Garrett. He married Patti Lou Reed on November 17, 1979, in Energy.

Marc was a hardworking man and owned and operated Garrett Excavating in Marion until his retirement last year. He began his career in the coal mines as a heavy equipment operator at Forsyth Williamson Coal in Energy, Illinois, where his father was employed until he passed. During his nine years as a member of the United Mine Workers of America, he was also employed at Arch Minerals, working at their Captain Mines and Horse Creek Mines. After being laid off in 1989, he and Patti began Garrett Excavating with encouragement from his Grandma Opie.

His friends and loved ones will miss his daily updates and phone calls while working and driving his semi truck.

Marc enjoyed sharing many years of dirt bike racing with his son, Gabe. They competed in the Mid South Hare Scrambles Series on their KTM bikes. Marc was past president of the Little Egypt Off-Road Club, Crab Orchard, Illinois.

Marc fulfilled his wish to travel out west in May 2023. His travels began in Wisconsin to the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, seeing Crazy Horse Memorial and Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. He was happy to stay at the Olde Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone National Park where Olde Faithful was a short distance from his view.

He was a man of God and always grateful and thankful to Him. Marc was quick to acknowledge God for how blessed he was.

He was preceded in death by his father, Herman Garrett. His grandparents, Opal and Harold Bowman, and Irvin and Mildred Garrett, his father-in-law, Edward Reed, and his favorite dog child, Auggie.

Marc is survived by his beloved wife, Patti Lou Reed Garrett, his mother, Judy Garrett of Energy; mother-in-law, Wanda Reed. Precious children: daughter, Abby Leigh Faulkenberry, and husband, Daniel of Energy; son, Gabe Lucas Garrett, and wife, Ashley (Bowen) of Mequon, WI; grandchildren: Eli Faulkenberry and fiancée, Paisley Vorhes of Herrin; Jaxton Faulkenberry and Blakly Faulkenberry of Energy; sister, Marci Boudet, and husband, Bill of Murphysboro; brother, John Garrett, and wife, Gail of Herrin; sister, Becki Arnold, and husband, Mike of Marion; and many other extended family members, dear friends of many years, Richard and Dawanna Wilson. Also survived by his best buddy, Pistol Pete, the family Frenchie.

The funeral service will be held at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 3, 2025 at Bryan Street Baptist Church, 521 East Bryan Street, Herrin, IL 62948. Rev. James Wright will officiate. The visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Bryan Street Baptist Church in Herrin. Inurnment will follow at a later date at Oak Grove Cemetery, 3624 S. Wolf Creek Road, Carbondale, Illinois.

Pallbearers will be Richard Wilson, Gabe Garrett, Daniel Faulkenberry, Eli Faulkenberry , Jaxton Faulkenberry, John Garrett and Mike Reed.

Patti wishes to thank their families, many caregivers and friends for their prayers, meals and support, including Hospice of Southern Illinois, but especially her daughter Abby, who lovingly cared her father until the end.

Memorial donations are suggested to Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children or Norah Foundation- https://givebutter.com/Snm1Ng and will be accepted at the church or mailed to the funeral home. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to McCluskie-Miller Funeral Services, 501 S. 12th Street, Herrin, IL 62948, (618) 942-2020.

Shriner's Hospital for Children
P. O. Box 947765, Atlanta GA 30394
Web: https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en

The Norah Foundation
Web: http://www.thenorahfoundation.net