Herman Wayne Gardner

Herman Wayne Gardner, age 96, of Casey, IL passed away at 11:23 a.m. on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at the Casey Health Care Center, Casey, IL. He was born March 6, 1921 in Cumberland County, IL, the son of Otto Gardner and Dessie Cooper Gardner.  On October 13, 1940, he married Wilma Leona Cutler in St. Charles, MO.  They enjoyed 75 years together before her passing on December 25, 2015.

He is survived by son, Larry (Carolyn) Gardner of Casey, IL; daughter, Linda (Dale) Melton of Casey, IL; granddaughters, Lori (Mo) Chehab of Tampa, FL and Rhonda (Mike) Montgomery of Casey, IL; grandsons, and Brent (Tammy) Gardner of Casey, IL and Rich (Jacque) Grafton of Casey, IL; great grandchildren, Lindsay Montgomery, Tayelar (Jon) Hayes, Macie (Ethan) Williams, Ridge Grafton, Brian (Sarah) Gardner all of Casey, IL; Leana Gardner of Springfield, IL; Michaela (Austin) Justice of Atwood, IL, Andrea (Justin) Ashton of Chicago, IL and Ahmad and Alisha Chehab of Tampa, FL and great great grandson, Chase Montgomery of Casey, IL.  He also leaves behind his little buddy, Tabby.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sisters, Wanda Irene Gardner in 1931 and Helen Wilson McElfresh in 1996 and brother, Herschel William Gardner in 2009. 

Herman loved the Lord and was a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church where he was saved as a teenager. In the 1970's, he rededicated his life and moved his membership to Casey First Baptist Church. He graduated from Casey High School in 1939.  He enjoyed farming with his father, Otto, working the ground with horses.  He cut broomcorn to help pay the bills.

Herman and Wilma enjoyed delivering "meals on wheels" through the Casey First Baptist Church. They spent many years wintering in McAllen, TX and Tampa, FL.  He was blessed with good health most of his life and enjoyed camping, swimming, boating, walking and bike riding.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2017 at Markwell Funeral Home with Brother Gene Ellis officiating. Burial will follow in the Casey Cumberland Cemetery, Casey, IL.  Visitation will be held from 1 – 2 p.m. prior to the service at Markwell Funeral Home, 200 N. Central Ave., Casey, IL. 

Memorial donations may be made to SPIFF (Scotty's Pay It Forward Foundation) at 508 E. Alabama St., Casey, IL 62420. This wonderful Foundation is dedicated to financially assisting families, who have been stricken with cancer and other related illnesses in this area.

To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle or post photos, visit www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Markwell Funeral Home of Casey, IL is in charge of the arrangements.