Richard Gardner

Richard Gardner, a 69-year-old resident of Trenton, passed away at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013 at his residence while under hospice care.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013 at Whitaker-Eads Funeral Home in Trenton. Cremation will follow the services.
A visitation will be held from 7 until 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 at the funeral home.
Mr. Gardner was born on Dec. 14, 1943 in Trenton to Albert and Vida Stephens Gardner. He graduated from Trenton High School in 1961 and attended vocational college in machine maintenance. On Nov. 24, 1962 he was married to Karen Ann Van Hoose in Marshalltown, IA. They moved out of Trenton in 1963 living in Illinois, Trenton and Marshalltown before returning to Trenton to stay in 1972. For many years Richard was employed with Trenton Foods, doing maintenance. Richard enjoyed hunting and fishing but is best known for the time spent in and with the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Tribe of Mic O-Say, in which he was active for over 25 years.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Karen of the home; four children, Rick Gardner and his wife Tonja, Paul Gardner, Michelle Gardner all of Trenton, and Ron Gardner and his fiance, Tracy of Wyandotte, MI; three sisters, Ruby Ward of Trenton, Alice McKinney of Chillicothe and Mary Chrisman of Trenton; a brother, Billy Gardner and his wife, Lori of Trenton; grandchildren, Ashley and her husband, Jared Phillips, Madison and her fiance, Jacob Beverlin, Sidney, MaCee and her husband, Spencer Boyle , Salina, Chris, Hannah, PJ, Marc, Nicole, Bryant and Jorden; great-grandchildren, Kammi, Zaylea, Uvia, Cereze Sophia Casen Colton and one expected baby; a sister-in-law, Earlyne Van Hoose; close friends, Jim and Judy Brill; dogs, Bud, Tammy Fae and Spike; four generations of nieces and nephews as well as many “Come By Kids” who are too numerous to mention.
Those preceding him in death include his parents; a sister, Elva Dean; brothers, Max, Charles, Jr, Eddie and Art; in-laws, Clark and Pauline Hannah; and a dog, Maggie.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Scout Camp, Hospice Advantage or the Liberty Tree House.
Online condolences may be left at whitakereads.com