John Gardner

JONESBORO, Ill. -- John Lewis Gardner, 75, of Jonesboro died Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Nov. 9, 1928, south of Jonesboro, son of Lewis and Anna M. Ditter Gardner. He and Wanda L. Kelley were married March 27, 1949, in Jonesboro.

Gardner retired from Union County Highway Department as county engineer in 1989 after 35 years of service. He served 12 years on Jonesboro City Council, and 14 years as mayor.

He was a long-time member of Salem Lutheran Church and served many years on the church council, member of Union County Housing Authority, Jonesboro Library Board, and life member of Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455 in Anna, Ill.

Gardner served with the U.S. Army in Japan and Germany. He was a former member of Illinois National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Joyce Rendleman and Diana Robertson of Jonesboro, Patricia Moehring of Anna; and five granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

Friends may call at Hileman Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Salem Lutheran Church, with the Rev. David Eidson officiating. Burial will be in Jonesboro Cemetery, with military rites by VFW Post 3455.