In Memory

Gary Gardner - Class Of 1958

Gary Gardner

Gary Gardner, 79, of Olney, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2019 at his residence.  Gary was born in Olney on December 10, 1939, to Betty Goss.  He was raised by his grandparents, Walter & Mabel Goss and was later adopted by Homer Gardner.  He attended school in Olney, graduating from ERHS in 1958.  He married Peggy (Williams) on July 19, 1959 and she preceded him in death.  He later married Carla (Shafer) on May 13, 1995.

Gary was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  He was a hard worker, jack-of-all-trades, and always ready to ‘go’ or ‘do’ whatever someone suggested.  He was a self-taught carpenter and remodeled many homes, worked in the oilfield for Baker Tools, and later took over the oil business of Rusk & Williams.  He co-owned Big G, a farm service business, sold fishing boats, helped build grain bins, and worked at Noble Milling, in addition to serving for 10 years as a volunteer firefighter for the city of Olney. He also designed, painted, and placed his ‘yard cards’ all over the surrounding area and he was the maintenance supervisor at Jabat, Inc, from which he retired in 2001.

Gary enjoyed many hobbies over the years, including bowling, fishing, camping at Kuhl’s Campground, coaching little league baseball, traveling, fighting fires, and chasing storms.  However, his favorite hobby was working with his HO gauge model train set up.  He recently joined the RMH Auxiliary and was the ‘fix-it’ guy for the gift shop.

Gary always enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, showing off his extensive model train display to anyone who was interested, visiting with the ‘coffee’ group, friends who stopped by, firemen he formerly worked with, and even his doctors and the nursing staff at RMH.

Gary is survived by his children, Cindy (Jerry) Brian of Terre Haute, IN, Steven (Cassie) Gardner of Olney, Tom (Jaime) Novak of Tolono, IL, and Becky (Buck) Mitchell of Noble, IL; Brothers, Jon (Barb) Gardner of Montgomery, TX, Joe (Jeannie) Gardner of Olney, and David (Barb) Gardner of Waynesville, NC; Grandchildren, Kelli Brian of Terre Haute, IN, Gary (Kaylin) Brian of Vincennes, IN, Caleb and Shelby Gardner of Olney, Cody and Haley Mitchell of Noble, IL, and Korie and Kameron Novak of Tolono, IL, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Walter and Mabel Goss, his parents, and his first wife, Peggy Williams. The family extends their thanks to Hospice of Southeastern Illinois, Dr. Atwood and his staff, the Carle RMH nursing and respiratory staff, Jon Kuenstler and the CRMH Home Health staff, the CRMH ambulance service, Dr. Saba and the Effingham Cancer Center staff, Dr. Josh Feddes and Kathy, John and Louella Kortge, and Tammy Howell and the respiratory staff and fellow patients at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southeastern Illinois, Olney Firefighters Association, RMH Auxiliary, or the donor’s choice.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at the Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney.  A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, June 21, 2019 at the Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney, with burial following in Haven Hill Memorial Gardens.

Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney obituary & photo - June 17, 2019



 
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03/15/21 06:11 PM #1    

Cindy Gardner (Brian) (1979)

Dad.  Thanks for all the fun and not so fun times.  I would not change a thing.  Snowball fights with mom.  Back flips over your head when mom was at society meetings, going with you to bowling and begging money for the bowling game.  Watching Red Skelton together sitting on the couch.  For pulling me on a sled in the snow when we aren't to grocery store.  First day east fork opened and we canuoed around the lake that day.  Letting me have my dog and rabbit.  Hanging out at the Case dealership.  Big G night, painting st Paul church bus and convincing mom it was water color paint.  Ha.  Walking me down the aisle to marry my best friend.  For loving and playing, teasing my two chi!seen.  Thanks for it all, I miss you so much it hurts.  Love you dad.


03/16/21 11:29 AM #2    

Joseph Hane (1958)

Gary was a classmate of mine and a good friend. I too will always remember him. Joe Hane '58

 


03/16/21 01:21 PM #3    

Delmar C Cooper (1958)

Gary and I competed to be the first baseman on the Junior High softball team.  He won.  It was an honor to have known him.


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