Ira Paul Carner

I. Paul Carner, 83, of Goshen, died Thursday afternoon, October 2, 2008, at Goshen General Hospital where he had been a patient since Saturday evening.  He had been in failing health. He was born in Mountain View, Arkansas, on May 26, 1925, to John and Olive (Jones) Carner.  He married Shirley C. Miller in East Crondelette, Illinois on August 16, 1957.  She died February 17, 1996.  On November 17, 2007 he married Barbara Ellen Shearer in Goshen.  She survives. For many years, Mr. Carner worked in the RV industry, serving as vice president of Gerring Industries in Shipshewana.  He had last worked at Fairmont Home before retiring in 1996.  Mr. Carner was an entrepreneur; he had owned the Country Inn in Shipshewana and had managed the Sinclair Station in Bristol. A veteran of World War II, he served with the US Army.  He was a 32nd Degree Mason and enjoyed the outdoor sports, including hunting deer and small game, and freshwater fishing. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; a daughter, Karen (Richard) Smith of Henderson, Nevada; two sons, Kenneth P. Carner of Goshen, and Terry L. (Berry) Carner of Georgetown, Kentucky; three step-daughters, Sandra Livergood of Elkhart, Melody (Bart) Benzinger of Fort Wayne, and Sally (Louis) Sharp of Mishawaka; a step-son, Stephen (Mary) Shearer of Mishawaka; 15 grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren;  many great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Jevetta Hancock of Auburn Hills, Michigan, and Ludean (Levi) Miller of Sun City, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley; four sons, Joseph E. “Ed” Goins, Robert Dixon, Frank Dixon, and Fred Carner; two sisters, Rachel Goins and Cecilia Crafton; and two brothers, James and John Carner. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, October 5, at the funeral home. A 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 6, 2008, funeral service will be conducted at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  Rev. Charles D. Crum of Bethel Tabernacle, Niles, Michigan, will officiate. Burial will be in Prairie Street Cemetery, Elkhart Memorial contributions may be made to Goshen Boys and Girls Club or Mizpah Temple on Berry Street in Fort Wayne.