Eileen Ruth Garmatter, 94, passed away on June 2, 2026, at Van Crest of Ada, Ohio. Eileen was born March 10, 1932, in Riley Township, Putnam County, Ohio, to the late Homer and Ella (Badertscher) Basinger. On August 20, 1951, she married Maurice Garmatter, and they shared 70 years of marriage until his death on October 14, 2021. 

Eileen was a 1950 graduate of Pandora High School. Eileen was a member of Ebenezer Mennonite Church, Bluffton. Eileen had great love for her family and enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved and followed the Lord Jesus and was a private prayer warrior. Eileen was a homemaker and known for her cooking and baking. Her hobby was attending her vegetable garden plus canning and freezing food for her family.  She loved her flower garden at the Garmatter family homestead. She took pride in babysitting for children and treated each one of them like they were her grandchildren. The children enjoyed her home-cooked breakfast and lunches. 

Survivors include five children, Jeff (Cynthia) Garmatter of Gilboa, Robert (Rosanne) Garmatter of Lima, Greg (Sandra) Garmatter of Omaha, Nebraska, Julie (Ron) Steiner of Lima, and Amy Garrett of Louise, Texas; ten grandchildren, Melissa (Jeff) Richards, Morgan (Chris) Rood, Jennifer Garmatter, Jordan Garmatter, Jason Garmatter, Jessica (Casey) Geren, Joel (Krista) Steiner, Joshua (Heidi) Steiner, Ana Garrett and Kate Garrett; thirteen great-grandchildren; siblings, Elnora (Jim) Stratton of Bluffton, and Mary Lou (Bob) Emans of Luckey, Ohio.

Eileen was preceded in death by daughter- in-law, Victoria Garmatter and son-in-law, Fred Garrett; siblings, Wallace Basinger, Nettie Mae Ferrall, Odula Greenawalt, Helen Scoles, Harold Basinger, Josephine Firestine, Ralph Basinger, Earl Basinger and two infant brothers, Clifford Basinger and Mark Basinger. 

The family express gratitude to Maple Crest staff and residents--Eileen enjoyed living there for over four years; to Van Crest Nursing Home for the great care and to Putnam County Home Care and Hospice for all the care and the support for our mom.  Especially, Eileen loved and enjoyed her visits and had a special friendship with her hospice nurse Angie and Pastor Trent.     

Services will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 11:30 am at Ebenezer Mennonite Church with Pastors David Glick and Tim Gallant to officiate the service. Burial will be in Ebenezer Mennonite Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be Friday, June 5, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ebenezer Mennonite Church Mission Fund or Putnam County Home Care and Hospice.  

Arrangements are entrusted to Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services of Bluffton.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.