Submitted by: Dan Rich

Keith L. Gardner

Jan. 28, 1928 - April 12, 2004

South Bend Tribune 4/14/2004

Keith L. Gardner, 76, residing on Sycamore Road, Walkerton, Ind., passed away at 2:15 p.m. Monday, April 12, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend. He was born to Floyd and Mary Gardner on Jan. 28, 1928 in Marshall County, and has remained a lifelong resident.

On Aug. 13, 1949 in Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, North Liberty, Keith and Evelyn Whitmer were united in marriage by the Rev. Wayne Gerdes. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 65 years, Evelyn, along with three daughters, Doris (Danny) Barden of Plymouth, June (Rick) Maher, and Betty (David) Hostetler, both of Walkerton; and a son, Tom (Pat) Gardner of Lakeville. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Tammy (Donald) Dickeson, Heather (Brian) Reathaford; Nicole (Jeremy) Cox, Kay (Adam) Hagen, Theresa (Mike) Klingensmith, Rick (Barb Martin) Maher Jr., Toby (Susan) Gardner, Mike (Patty) Maher, and Adam (Hannah) Barden; ten great-grandchildren; three sisters, Martha Sherrill of Van Vleck, Texas; Winnifred (John) Smith of LaPaz, and Dorothy (Arlis) Eads of Arizona; and five brothers, Kenneth (Mardell) Gardner of Walkerton, Howard "Mike" (Connie) Gardner of Bremen, Charles "Jake" (Barb) Gardner of Plymouth, David (Emily) Gardner of Inwood, and Harlan Gardner of Millersburg.

Mr. Gardner was a farmer and was employed with Oliver Farm Equipment in South Bend and the Teegarden & LaPaz grain elevators. He was a Marshall County 4-H leader and goat barn superintendent for 27 years. He was a member of Pine Creek Church of the Brethren in North Liberty.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 16, in Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, 69531 Pine Road, North Liberty. Rev. Norman Replogle, pastor will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Tyner Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 15, in the Palmer Funeral Home-Lakeville, 314 South Michigan Street, Lakeville, and one hour prior to services Friday at the Church. Memorial donations in memory of Keith L. Gardner may be offered to Marshall County 4-H Scholarship Fund or to any charity.