It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Guy Elmer Givens, aged 85, on Friday, April 4, 2025. Guy was a devoted husband, a loving father, a good friend, and a treasured community member.
Guy was born on September 7, 1939, in Pershing, Indiana, to Arthur and Helen (Friermood) Givens. As the middle son in a Methodist minister’s family, Guy developed a remarkable ability to make friends wherever he went, a trait that served him well throughout his life. After graduating from high school in Berne, Indiana, he joined his uncle’s business, Friermood Tire in Wabash.
Guy’s dedication to the tire store led to him taking ownership, and he spent over six decades in the business. He took great pleasure in working there with his son Scott, and in recent years, his grandchildren Ryan Givens and Tori Fadil as well.
Known for his quick wit and encyclopedic memory of his customers’ car histories, Guy could share a story about almost anyone in town. He loved his years as a boat owner at Red Bridge Marina and enjoyed traveling in his motor home with Jan. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness and humor that will be remembered by his many friends, employees, and customers.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 35 happy years, Jan Givens, two children, Melanie (Phil) Penn and Scott (Beth) Givens, stepson Rick (Paula) Holmes, and five grandchildren: Rebecca (Jayson Mills) Penn, Steven Penn, Cami (Eric) Elsasser, Ryan (Cherish) Givens, and Victoria (Nathanael) Fadil; three stepgrandchildren: Graydon, Hannah, and Cody Holmes; five great-grandchildren: Evelyn, Scarlett, and Michael Elsasser, William Givens, and Elias Fadil; brother Mark (Linda) Givens, and sister-in-law Gayle Givens. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Larry Givens.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with David Phillips officiating. Burial will be in Lagro Cemetery, Lagro. Friends may call 2:00 – 8:00 pm Friday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is Animal Shelter of Wabash County.
The memorial guest book for Guy may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
