Richard Charles Gardner age 88, of Centerville, passed away peacefully Friday, November 4, 2022 in the company of his loving wife, Barbara and his daughter, Julie.
Richard was born on October 10, 1934, the second child of six, born to Charles and Nadyne (Jordan) Gardner of Centerville, Iowa. As a child, Richard attended the one room “Hakes” grade school. He then went on to graduate from Centerville High School with the Class of 1952. After graduation, he joined the Iowa National Guard. On October 6, 1957, he was united in marriage to Barbara Joan Ferren, and to this union, two children were born, a son, Jordan Lee and a daughter, Julie Renee.
Richard was very talented having acquired his aircraft pilots license before his driving license. He loved row crop farming, raising both corn and soybeans. For some time, he drove a semi propane tanker hauling propane for his family’s local “Gardner Supply” company. He also installed Heating and Cooling systems, as well as plumbing and electrical systems in many area homes. Richard also rebuilt salvage automobiles, remodeled homes, sold and installed carpeting, and was a satellite TV dealer and installed satellite dish systems.
In 2008, he suffered a stroke which he never fully recovered from. The family of Richard would like to thank the employees of Centerville Care Initiatives, including their hospice nurses for taking care of Richard during his final time. We believe Richard now rests in eternal peace in Heaven.
Richard will be deeply missed by his wife, Barbara Gardner of Centerville; his children, Jordan Lee Gardner of Centerville and Julie (Dan) Mihalovich of Centerville; his granddaughter, Kelsey Anne Mihalovich of Windsor Heights, Iowa; his siblings, Leroy (Janice) Gardner of Urbandale, Iowa, Phyllis (Gary) Thomas of Centerville, Rosalee (Richard) Inman of Hamilton, Ohio; as well as several extended family members.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Nadyne Gardner; his sister, Beverly (Tom) Peckham; and a brother, Jimmy Gardner.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30AM, Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at Lange Funeral Home in Centerville with Judy Austin officiating. Burial will follow at Haines Cemetery north of Centerville. Visitation will take place Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at Lange Funeral Home in Centerville with the family greeting friends from 9-10:30AM. Memorials have been established to either Haines Cemetery or Care Initiatives Hospice, and may be mailed to Lange Funeral Home, ATTN: Gardner family, 1900 South 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page.
