DOVER - John Patrick Joseph Garland, 81, of Dover, passed away June 15, 2011, at Delaware Hospice Milford, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Sept. 16, 1929 in Philadelphia, to the late Neil and Matilda Kennedy Garland. He attended West Catholic High School and Saint Joseph's University. John was a distinguished member of the United States Army and Army Reserve serving in the 82nd Airborne Division, the Counter Intelligence Agency and 157th Infantry Brigade, retiring in 1989 with the rank of Command Sergeant Major. John was employed for many years in Marketing and Real Estate in the Petroleum Industry. Previous employers included Getty Oil Company, Texaco, Carl King and Kent Oil Company. John was an avid pilot and enjoyed the skies throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Anna (February 2010); and brother, Charles. He is survived by a sister, Dorothy Hetherington. John is also survived by three children, daughter, Joanne Lynn of Reading, Pa.; two sons, John Michael of Blackwood, N.J. and Robert of Ocean City, N.J.; four grandchildren, Jessica (Shaun) McKinney of Oyster Bay N.Y., Jennifer (David) Rivera of Blackwood N.J., Stephanie(Matthew) Royce of Somerdale, N.J., and Jonathan Tarakci of Reading, Pa.; and two great-grandchildren, Zoe and Ava Rivera of Blackwood, N.J. A Memorial Service will be held 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 425 N. Dupont Highway, Dover. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 425 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901. Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at torbertfuneral.com.