Marion County commissioners appoint interim coroner

The Marion County commissioners appointed Timothy Garner, MD, as the county’s interim coroner.

Garner replaces Dr. Gary Burton, who is leaving office to deal with ongoing health issues, according to a release from the Marion County commissioners' office.

During the commissioners' June 18 meeting, President Andy Applefeller welcomed Garner and thanked Burton for his years of service to the county.

Applefeller praised both doctors for making a smooth transition in the Coroner’s Office happen.

Garner is a family physician with over 40 years of clinical experience. He graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 1982.

A Marion County resident, his most recent position has been with the Center Street Clinic in Marion.

He will need to run for election to office in November.

Burton is a retired ophthalmologist and previously WAS on the medical staff at Marion General Hospital.

According to Burton, many of the deaths he attended to were unintentional drug overdoses. Statewide there are close to 5,000 unintentional drug overdose deaths per year.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion County commissioners appoint interim coroner