Shirley Elizabeth Yonkin Garver and Steven Randall Garver

Shirley Elizabeth Yonkin Garver, 78, a 52-year resident of Skaneateles, NY, and formerly of Dushore, PA, passed away on Thursday, September 4, 2025, surrounded by her loving family and friends, following a courageous four-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Her beloved husband of 58 years, Steven Randall Garver, 80, of Skaneateles, NY, passed away four months later, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, following a brief battle with colon cancer.

Shirley was born in Sayre, PA, on December 11, 1946, a daughter of the late Robert Joseph and Evelyn Caroline Hottenstein Yonkin. She grew up on the family dairy and vegetable farm in Dushore, PA, with her sister, Carolynn, and brothers, Melvin and William.

Steve was born in Ephrata, PA, on September 29, 1945, a son of the late Robert Garver, an accountant and locksmith, and Alice Sowers Garver, a teacher. On September 9, 1967, Shirley and Steve were married. Together, they shared 58 wonderful years of marriage and raised three beloved sons: Michael (Kimberlee) of Canastota, NY; Alan (Megan) of Hopewell Junction, NY; and Andrew (Kristi) of Concord, NC. Their family was at the center of their lives. Shirley's greatest pride and joy was their nine grandchildren: Grace, Katherine, Robert, Lily, Gavin, Liam, Jaxson, Eli, and Bowen.

Shirley and Steve cherished every moment spent with them and created countless memories through family holidays, gatherings, and summer vacations. The family enjoyed many summers camping, swimming, and hiking in the Adirondacks, a tradition that created lifelong bonds and treasured memories.

Shirley is also survived by two brothers, Melvin Yonkin (Joanne) of Towanda, PA, and William Yonkin (Emma) of Dushore, PA; a brother-in-law, Fred Fuller of Dundee, NY; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. Her sister, Carolynn Anne Yonkin Their Fuller, passed away seven months after Shirley, on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, from pulmonary fibrosis, the same disease that had taken Shirley's life.

Steve is also survived by a sister, Holly Daye (John Miller) of Naples, FL; a nephew, Jay Rodriguez (Paige) of Apex, NC; and many in-laws and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister, Cynthia, of Raleigh, NC.

Shirley graduated from Sullivan County High School in Laporte, PA, and later from Cayuga County Community College in Auburn, NY. During her career, she worked as an executive secretary with the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters in Harrisburg, PA; Imperial Chemical Industries in Stamford, CT; and the Skaneateles Central School District. Although Shirley found great satisfaction in her work, her most meaningful role was that of homemaker, lovingly caring for her husband and sons and, later, doting on her grandchildren. In addition to her family and career, Shirley was a gifted and prolific crafter. She excelled in the fabric arts, creating beautiful quilts, wall hangings, draperies, clothing, and holiday decorations that continue to adorn the homes of family and friends. Her artistry and creativity enriched the lives of those around her. She also loved gardening and cooking. Shirley was an active and dedicated supporter of the Alliance Church in Auburn, NY, where she worshiped faithfully and developed many lasting friendships. Her quiet strength, kindness, and generosity of spirit left an indelible mark on her family, friends, community, and all who were blessed to know her.

Steve earned both bachelor's and master's degrees from Penn State and was a licensed Professional Engineer in several states. During a long and distinguished career in environmental engineering, he helped industries address and remediate environmental contamination. With O'Brien & Gere and later Arcadis, he specialized in the treatment of contaminated land, water, and river sediments for many Fortune 500 companies at notable sites including Cape Canaveral in Florida and the Hudson River in New York. Steve authored 30 professional publications and hundreds of research and design reports for industrial clients and government agencies. Over the years, he was a member of several professional organizations, including the Water Environment Federation, American Water Works Association, American Chemical Society, American Society of Civil Engineers, and American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Among Steve's other passions were historic preservation and family-history research. He loved getting lost for hours in archival records and emerging with "gems" that helped him uncover hidden branches of family trees. More than names and dates, he sought clues to the personalities and lives of the ancestors and relatives he researched, bringing their stories to life. Steve contributed to important research on eighteenth-century Gerber immigrants to Pennsylvania and their families, as well as their Y-DNA profiles. He deeply valued his Pennsylvania Dutch heritage and Anabaptist ancestry and was a longtime member and contributor to the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, now Mennonite Life, and the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley. In 2015, he helped restore a neglected cemetery on the 1744 homestead of his immigrant Gerber ancestor. His passion for genealogy and family history culminated in his publication of The Garvers of Ephrata, a rich collection of genealogy, history, and family stories preserving the Garver heritage for generations to come. Steve was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Order of the Arrow, a Philmont explorer, and a lifelong lover of camping, canoeing, and the outdoors. He shared that passion with his children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends. Together, they built small cities of tents and enjoyed countless evenings around campfires in the Adirondacks. He especially enjoyed wilderness camping expeditions affectionately known as "Man-Child trips." These adventures gave fathers and children opportunities to explore the wilderness, test themselves, and occasionally engage in a little more carefully calculated risk than their mothers might have approved of. Beyond his many accomplishments and interests, Steve was perhaps best known for his calm, levelheaded kindness, his warm and ever-present smile, his love of all things technical, and his fondness for dad jokes. He faithfully and lovingly cared for Shirley throughout her four-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Steve was a loving father, a kind man, and a helpful companion and friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Together, Shirley and Steve built a life marked by devotion to one another, love for their family, meaningful work, enduring friendships, and service to others. Though their family said goodbye to them only four months apart, the life they shared for nearly six decades leaves a lasting legacy in their children, grandchildren, extended family, and the many people whose lives they touched.

A memorial service celebrating the lives of Shirley and Steve will be held at the Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 11:00 AM, with Pastor Ron Dyer officiating. Interment will follow in Peace Cemetery, Dushore, PA

To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com