GAIL WILLIAM GARDINER

GAIL WILLIAM GARDINER Gail William Gardiner was born January 23, 1924 to William Joseph and Violet Eliza Robin Gardiner in Kenilworth, Utah. He passed away at the age of 99 on October 21, 2023 surrounded by his children. Gail, in his youth, worked in the CCC camps. When he had enough of that he came back to Vernal and worked in a dairy until he was old enough to work in the Gilsonite Mines. From there, he joined the military. In 1943 he was deployed to the European Theater. In July 1944, he was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division ("Spearhead") Company F. He was selected as a mortar gunner. While assigned to Company F36 Armored Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, he was engaged in the Battle of the Bulge. That was where he was wounded and lost his eye on December 19, 1944. He received the Purple Heart for his injuries. During his recovery and until his release, he was assigned to the 96th Bomb Guard, 8th Army Air Corps at Snetterton Field, England. He was released from service on Christmas Day 1945. His decorations and citations include: Purple Heart, 3 battle PTO battle stars, American Theater of Operation Service Ribbon, European - African - Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal Victory Medal. Upon returning home, he went back to the Gilsonite Mine and then married his sweetheart Mary Ellen Barker on January 4, 1946. Then on April 4, 1946 they were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple together. They had seven children: Betty (Doug) Cook, Roy (killed in Vietnam), Brenda (Floyd) Rasmussen, Ivan (Raema) Gardiner, Nancy (Randy) Beers, Edgar, of Vernal and Lenard (Jeanette) Gardiner of Palmer, Alaska. Gail worked at the mines until his retirement. While there, he received the Joseph A. Holmes 35-year safety award. Gail was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many different callings including: financial secretary, assistant to the young men, president of young men, secretary to Aaronic priesthood, secretary for young men, secretary for Uintah Stake young men. He and Mom served as High Uintah scout camp chaperones, nursery leader, and home teacher. Gail and Ellen taught their children to love to camp, fish, hunt, work hard, and always love family. Gail had many dear friends, too many to name all of them, but at this time we would like to thank Dal Cook, Monty and Lou Ann Barker for their many visits to Dad and also a big thank you to his nurse Misty that he looked forward to seeing every Wednesday. Gail is survived by his six children and their spouses, 19 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, 16 great-great-grandchildren, his sister Connie Rae (Lou) Mitchell, sister-in-law Eva Gardiner, brother-in-law Newell Warren, and his ornery moody cat Streaker. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary Ellen, son Roy, both parents, step-mother Nellie Rose Greenhow, granddaughter Cathlynn Gardiner, Don Gardiner, Chester (Juanita) Gardiner, Reva (George) Long, Donna Rose (Karl) Karren, Ferris Lee (Richard) Stack, and his faithful dog Yodie. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 10 AM at the Davis 4th Ward Chapel (3990 S 1500 E) viewings will be held Friday, October 27th from 6-8 PM at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary, and 1 hour prior at the Chapel. Interment will be in the Vernal Memorial Park next to his sweetheart Mary. Services are under the care of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.