Name: Visitation for Samuel E. Gardner
Start: 2016-02-05T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-02-06T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Van Matre Funeral Home - Waterford

Samuel E. Gardner, 72, of Waterford, died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, surrounded by his loving family just four days short of his 73rd birthday.
Born Feb. 7, 1943 on Gardner Hill, Byrnedale, he was the second youngest of 14 children of the late Clyde and Audrey Ives Gardner.
Sam grew up and attended school in Elk County before entering the U.S. Army in 1961. He served overseas and was honorably discharged in 1964. Sam married Alene Gorman on Sept. 4, 1965 and together they started their family and lived in St. Marys until moving to Waterford in 1973.
Sam worked as a machinist at General Electric for 25 years and was a member of UE Local 506. He was a dedicated family man who loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter very much, and overall, enjoyed talking with anyone, sharing a smile and a joke, and, of course, his homemade peanut brittle.
For many years Sam enjoyed sports and played in local leagues on bowling teams, baseball teams as a left-handed pitcher, and in pool tournaments. He was a member of All Saints Parish and American Legion Post 285, both in Waterford, and he enjoyed hunting and going for coffee. Sam will be remembered for his optimistic attitude, even during illness.
Surviving family members include his wife, Alene Gorman Gardner; four children, John Gardner and wife Shelley of Ogden, Utah, Mark Gardner and wife Rhonda, Lori Niemeyer, and Michele Gardner and fiance Rich Johnston, all of Waterford; 13 grandchildren, Joseph, Stephen, Emilie, and Meagan Gardner, Alexander, Niles, Sarah, Samantha, and Calvin Gardner, Angel Barrios, Vanessa and Nikki Sam Niemeyer, and Trapper Apthorp; a great-granddaughter, Calvary Barrios; four sisters, Laura Lovenduski, Pearl Biondi (Anthony), Jane Nesbit (Ralph), and Ruth Challingsworth; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Angela Marie; four sisters, Eva Armstrong, Margaret Narby, Flora Barker, and Edna Pelton; and five brothers, John, Frank, James, Charles, and William Gardner.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Samuel E. Gardner will take place Saturday morning, Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. at All Saints Parish in Waterford with Rev. Fr. Gregory Passauer officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, St. Marys.
Friends are invited to visiting hours at Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut St., Waterford on Friday, Feb. 5 from 5-8 p.m.
Donations may be made to Stancliff Hose Company, P.O. Box 275, Waterford, Pa. 16441 in lieu of flowers. To share condolences, please visit www.vanmatrefuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Daily Press from Feb. 3 to Feb. 4, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Gardner

Sponsored by Van Matre Funeral Home - Waterford.

11 Entries

Sue Finney

February 10, 2016

My prayers and condolences go out to Sam's family. Sam was an awesome person.

Ann Durlin

February 5, 2016

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998

Kristie Niemeyer -Lino

February 5, 2016

Sam was a wonderful man. I will miss him and his kindness ( and his peanut brittle)

Brian Roach

February 5, 2016

I will miss our talks and his sense of humor, which was usually him picking on me. He was loved and will be missed by his pulmonary rehab friends. R.I.P. Sam

RALPH DEEMER

February 5, 2016

Condolences to the Gardner family. Worked with Sam at g.e. for many years and enjoyed many sideline chats at the flb football games. R.i.p. my friend.

February 5, 2016

So sorry for your loss. Sam was a Great Man. Always Happy.

Liz Keim

February 4, 2016

Sam was one of the great. He will be missed by many. Love and prayers to you and the family.

Kirk Mientkiewicz

February 4, 2016

Sam we'll always be miss you! We enjoyed many cups of coffee! You would make us smile everyday! Your family is great! Your kindness and helpfulness will always be appreciated.

jamie Rupp

February 4, 2016

Sam was a wonderful gentleman. .enjoyed his companionship during our bldg.5 monthly lunches..he taught me his fondness for coconut cream pies...we will miss him..hugs to his wife and family..we are in alabama this month...God bless..Joanie&Jamie Rupp

Elana Sigrist (Gardner)

February 4, 2016

Although we may have lost touch over the years, you were thought of often. There will only ever truly be one REALLY GREAT Uncle Sam. You will be greatly missed.

Bonnie DuMars

February 4, 2016

I worked with Sam at G.E. He was a very nice man. I am the one who set him straight when I started. we had a mutual locker. He had his pin up picture in it. So I put a pin up picture in it too. He was a great guy to work with. Sorry for your loss.

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