Richard “Rick” Ervin Gardner, 71, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 6:55 am, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Parkview Health Randallia in Fort Wayne. He was born on November 17, 1952, in Wabash, Indiana, to James Harry and Evelyn Maxine (Schrader) Gardner.
Rick was a 1971 graduate of Wabash High School. He married Jackie Smith on March 31, 1973 at the Church of Christ at Treaty, where he was also a member. Rick worked at Container Corporation in Wabash, retiring after 40 years; and also co-owned and operated with Jackie, Wabash Poly Clean for 18 years. He was an outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, archery, and mushroom hunting. Rick also enjoyed golfing, riding bikes especially at Paradise Spring, but he especially loved his grandkids.
He is survived by his wife, Jackie Gardner of Wabash, four children; Shawn (Karen) Gardner, Brian (Emily) Gardner, and Wendy Sheridan, all of Wabash, and Stephanie (Aaron) Reust of Huntington, Indiana, eight grandchildren; Brandon Sheridan, Mackenzie Sheridan, Alyson Reust, Megan Reust, Alyssa Sheridan, Tristan Gardner, Camden Reust, and Brianna Gardner, three step grandchildren; Nathaniel Shiosee, Lexie Alwine, and Eli Peters, and brother, Jim (Linda) Gardner of Wabash. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Doris Eads, and Bonnie Wiley.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Monday, March 18, 2024, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Ryan Weaver officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm, Monday, March 18, 2024, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is Church of Christ at Treaty Youth Group.