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John Milton Garlets, 77, of Harrietta, Michigan died January 2, 2017 peacefully in his sleep at home.
Known as “John” to doctors & nurses, “Johnny Milt” to family, or “Milt” as he was called by many, he was born January 3, 1939 in LaGrange County, Indiana to John P. and Halcyon M. (McKenzie) Garlets, attending Brighton (IN) High School, graduating in 1957. He played 4 years of varsity basketball and participated on the track team.
He married Marilyn E. Mosher on November 25, 2004 in Cadillac. She survives him along with children Joie (John) Kennard of Boon, John (Amy) Garlets of Rockford, Grandchildren Kenda Kennard, Craig Kennard, Zac (Lynette) Garlets, Ben (Jeanne) Garlets and Sam (Erin) Garlets and 8 great-grandchildren. Siblings Nathan Garlets, Jane (Larry) LeVeque, Jeanne (Dennis) Luhtanen, Karol Quesenberry, Karen Bosman, Rick Mosher, Roger (Robin) Mosher, Rex (Jackie) Mosher along with numerous nieces and nephews that looked up to him dearly. He was preceeded in death by his favorite niece Deborah J. Wilcox in August of 2010.
Milt was self-employed & former co-owner of Crossroads Bar in Harrietta; Garlets Corner Restaurant and Garlets Trucking in Hoxeyville. Before relocating to northern Michigan in 1976, he worked 15 years as a Tool & Die maker at CTS in Elkhart, IN. He also enjoyed working at WICO Racing in Elkhart, where he honed his racing & machinist skills with long-time friend Jim Wise.
He had a special gift of repairing things – any vehicle, plows, tractors, lawn mowers, etc. He loved drag racing & maintaining his own cars, and helping on others. He raced & rode snowmobiles, motorcycles, had dune buggies and off-road toys. He looked forward to his weekly pool league and “hanging” with the guys every Thursday night. He was a “thinker” and could be ruthless playing euchre, if you were his partner you better understand and know how to spell “strategy!” He loved watching anything with a motor compete, he basically never grew up!
He was proud to have successfully competed at several midwest drag racing events at popular venues: Avilla IN, Brohman MI, Kaleva MI, “Popular Hot Rodding Event” at Martin MI and Bristol (TN). He participated in the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis multiple years, and “World Series of Drag Racing” in Cordova (IL) winning back to back in 1970 & 1971 in his class. He competed and was employed as Technical Manager at Osceola Dragway (IN) with a father/son relationship with Art Chizum, track owner. He also worked several years for NASCAR sponsored drag races at the Deland airport in Florida, a marketing ploy during speed weeks prior to the Daytona 500 in the mid-60’s.
A memorial luncheon will be held in Milt’s honor on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 2pm at the Amvets #120, 3669 North 9 Road (just off M37) Mesick, Michigan, 49668. Please bring a good story and a photo of your hot rod to share.
Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manistee, MI has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Milt’s personal page at www.oakgrovefh.com.

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