Obituary of Ralph Edward Gardner

Ralph Edward Gardner, retired farmer and long-time resident of Leipsic, Orange County, and then Lawrence County, Indiana died on Sunday February 13, 2011. He was in his 98th year, having been born January 2, 1914. As a young man, Ralph matured in the environment of the first Great Depression and his position within a long-time prominent Orange County farming family was fatefully timed to stimulate the development and strengthening of his devotion to family responsibilities while enabling achievement of personal work ethics admired by all who knew him. He was the second eldest of Orel and Dora (Lewis) Gardners six children, grandson of Henry and Polly Ann (Wible) Gardner, and was widowed from wives Kathleen (Baker) Gardner (1959) and Geneva (Gardner) Buck Gardner (2003). Survivors include one daughter, Dinah L. (Gardner) Sears, Arlington Heights, IL; late wife Genevas children Judy (Buck) Adamson, Greenwood, IN and Steve Buck, Sun City AZ and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Also two sisters: Mary (Gardner) Shanks, Orleans, IN and Louise (Gardner) Smith, Brownsburg, IN. A son, Michael Ralph, was stillborn in 1941. Mr. Gardner has three deceased brothers: Lewis, Howard and Carl. Funeral Information Graveside services will be conducted at noon on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 with Sister Jeanne Silvers officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Orleans, Indiana. Visitation will be from 9:00 am 10:30 am on Wednesday at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, the family requests that condolences in the form of contributions be sent to the general fund of the Leipsic United Methodist Church, Leipsic, Indiana.