Arlene Elizabeth Garcia

Arlene Ward Garcia, 86, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at home in Glennville with family by her side. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 26, 1938, to parents, Lillian and Leonard Ward, and graduated from Jones Commercial High School in Chicago. She worked at a variety of jobs throughout her life, but retired from the Wyoming State Board of Outfitters and Professional Guides.

During the majority of her high school and adult life, Arlene was active in a variety of sports including softball, tennis, and bowling. Later in life she enjoyed watching sports on TV, especially football, tennis, golf, and the Olympic Games. For many years she was a big Denver Broncos fan, but particularly liked college football games.

Arlene married her first husband, Bill Wimmer, in 1958 in Chicago, and a few years later adopted their children, Christine, Jim, and John. Having lived a variety of places around the country over the next few years, they finally settled in Cheyenne, Wyoming. After the end of her marriage, Arlene later met and married the love of her life, Rudy Garcia, who had three sons of his own, Ronnie, Randy, and Richard. Arlene and Rudy had many happy years together until his passing in 2003. That next year Arlene moved to Georgia to be near her son, Jim Wimmer.

Arlene had a quick wit and a sharp mind. She’d deliver a funny comeback one minute, and then tell you off in the next. It was one of her more endearing qualities and you always knew where you stood!

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Butch (Elaine) Ward; and her husband, Rudy Garcia.

She is survived by a daughter, Christine Milner, of Knox, Indiana; five sons, Jim Wimmer (Allison Cobb) of Glennville, Georgia, John Wimmer of Knox, Indiana, and Ronnie Garcia (Debbie Armstrong), Randy (Melissa) Garcia, and Richard Garcia (Lisa Sanchez), all of Cheyenne, Wyoming; her sister-in-law who she shared a close bond with, Karen Wimmer (Brooke Larsen) of Ancramdale, New York; a son-in-law, Phil Milner of Knox, Indiana; six grandchildren, Alec (Madison) Wimmer, Cassie (Hunter) Meloy, Andrew Wimmer, Casey (Kim) Kaper, Cody Garcia, and Jordan Garcia; two great grandchildren, David (Kaylee) Kaper, and Kaylani Garcia; and several other relatives.

The family would like to thank Community Hospice in Vidalia, and Home Instead in Hinesville (and especially her favorite caregiver, Jennifer), for their support, care, and assistance during this past year. Arlene also loved her doctor, Paul Thompson, and the staff at Southern Medical Group in Glennville.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date with burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Cheyenne, WY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Community Hospice, 904 Mt Vernon Rd, Vidalia, GA 30474.

Glennville Funeral Home has the honor to serve the Garcia family.