Richard L. Gardner Sr.

Richard L. Gardner, Sr. (Dick), 79, of Lewistown passed away January 28, 2021.

Born on April 19, 1941, in Lewistown, he was a son of the late Frances Gardner and his late stepfather, Max Hoffman.

He is survived by his wife, Susan J. (Folk) Gardner with whom he celebrated 61 years of marriage on August 29, 2020.

In addition, he is also survived by; his sister, Roberta Potts, of Lancaster; children, Beth Spigelmyer and husband, Toby, of Mifflin, Richard Gardner Jr. and wife, Kelly of Altoona, Chris Gardner and wife, Britt, of Burnham, Meredith (Lani) Gardner and companion, Zack Thompson, of Lewistown, Keri Gardner, and companion, Clint Laughlin, of Port Royal; 23 grandchildren, Jared, Tia, Kier, Bryn, Christopher II, Yolanda, Rochelle, Lathon, Alyson, Kaleb, Aubrey, Kahly, Matthew, Bailey, Zac, Abby, Royce, Kaitlyn, Logan, Levi, Lilliyan, Lyam, and Luke; and 29 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by Ron Ruffner in 1986, fiancé of Meredith (Lani) Gardner.

Dick was a member of the 1960 class of Chief Logan High School and earned his GED in 1982.

He was a Jehovah’s Witnesses and was affiliated with the local congregation.

Richard had many different jobs through the years, some where he utilized his unique drafting, drawing, and organizational skills. He worked at various local gas stations, at the Hamilton Arms Watch Factory, Royal Dairy, Fishers, Sweetland Engineering, Skills, Trinity, J. M. Young and Sons, Bell Telephone, and as a maintenance man, painter, and a skating guard.

Richard was also a firefighter and first responder earlier in life, working for many local EMS services and fire companies.

He loved roller skating, watching his grandkids at their sports events, Drum and Bugle Corps, barbershop singing, and his mug of coffee.

A virtual memorial service will be held via Zoom on Saturday, February 13, 2021, at 1 p.m. with Dan Messerman officiating. Access the Zoom service with Meeting ID 842 9590 3260, Passcode 609555; https://jworg.zoom.us/j/84295903260 followed by Passcode 609655; or via telephone by dialing 1-646-558-8656 and entering the above information.

The family appreciates the wonderful care given by his aides Robin, Tawni, Jenifer, Shawn, Alyssa, Brittany, Ingrid, Morgan, and Lisa.

Memorial contributions may be made in the name of Talynn Snook to Bugs Bunch Relay Team, 5751 US Highway 522 North, McClure, PA 17841, or to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, PO Box 134, Burnham, PA 17009.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard L. Gardner Sr., please visit our floral store.