Velma Jane Gardner

1928 - 2025

Velma Jane Gardner

June 21, 1928 - November 23, 2025

Velma Jane Gardner, 97, of Luckey, passed away on Sunday, November 23, at the Hospice of Northwest Ohio, where she resided for several days following a brief illness.

Velma was born June 21, 1928, in Ashland, Ohio, to William G. and Helen I. (Pruner) Brownson. She met Dallas Gardner as a student at Ashland College (where she was May Queen), and they were married in 1949, in Ashland. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage before Dallas' passing in 2008.

Living a life of caring and service to others, Velma worked as a teacher's aide in the multi-disabilities class at Luckey Elementary School. She was involved at Zion United Methodist Church and served in many roles, including Sunday School superintendent, Sunday School teacher, church council, treasurer of the United Methodist Women, and was for many years a member of the women's quartet and church choir. She was a founding member of the Luckey Ladies Golf League at Tanglewood Golf Club. Velma was a lifelong and avid Cleveland Indians/Guardians baseball fan, and enjoyed watching professional tennis.

More than anything, Velma was most proud of and cared for her expansive family. She and Dallas raised seven children, Mike (Judy) of Perrysburg Township, Pat (Dallas) Oberdick of Perrysburg Township, Sandy (Debb Stanforth) Karmol of rural Swanton, Randy (Sandy) of Bowling Green, Linda (Jim) Hammer of Wayne, Gary (Sue) of Bowling Green, and Connie (Jerry) Rutherford of Luckey.

Surviving Velma are 18 grandchildren, Amy (Andy) Luidhardt, Bryan (Katharina), Chris (Emily), Chad Krift, Stephen (Leslie) Karmol, Lyndsay (Kai) Roller, Brooks (Laura), Christina (Jordan) Olmstead, Austin (Brittanne), Erin (Evgeny) Hammer Danilov, Tony (Natalie) Hammer, Ben (Ashley) Hammer, Kevin (Marisa) Hammer, Evan (Kerigan), Mitchell, Craig (Megan) Rutherford, Eric (Christine) Rutherford, Jeff (Libbey) Rutherford; and 33 great-grandchildren. Preceding Velma in death were two grandchildren, Jamie Krift and Philip Karmol; brother, William Brownson; and sisters, Catherine Rush and Marjorie Whitcomb.

Velma treasured the opportunity to celebrate and remember all 83 of her family members' birthdays with a birthday card, and continued to do so until her final days in November.

Family and friends will be received from 3-7 p.m., Sunday, November 30, at Marsh & Marsteller Funeral Home, 110 W. Main Street, Luckey. The funeral service will be 11 a.m., Monday, December 1, at Zion United Methodist Church, 525 Krotzer Avenue, Luckey. Additional visitation will be at the church, starting at 10 a.m., until the time of the service. Officiating will be Pastor Leroy Sholey. Velma will be laid to rest at Troy Township Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials take the form of contributions to Zion United Methodist Church or to a charity of the donor's choice. Those wishing to express a word of encouragement may share a memory or photo at www.marshfuneralhomes.com.

www.marshfuneralhomes.com