James A. “Jim” Gardner, 76, passed away in his Warsaw home on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024.
Jim was born in Bourbon on Aug. 8, 1948, to Alexander Brooks and Opal Mae Phillips Gardner. He graduated from Triton High School.
He served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany and Vietnam, and was honorably discharged in 1971.
Jim married Evelyn Johnson Bender on Feb. 22, 2000, in Prestonsburg, Ky. The couple moved back to the area in 2021.
He worked as a roll tender for RR Donnelley for 30 years. He also was a mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Tippecanoe.
Jim was a one-of-a-kind character and a genuine jokester. When living in Arizona, he enjoyed driving his golf cart to the post office and to the local V.F.W. #857. He enjoyed raising livestock on a small farm outside of Mentone for many years.
Jim is survived by his wife, Evelyn Gardner; his children, Timothy Gardner, of Etna Green; and Catherine Gardner, of Warsaw; stepchildren, William J. Dotson, of Fort Wayne; and Charlene (Paul) Kramer, of Bowling Green, Fla.; stepgrandchildren: Zach, Zeb, Zeke, Zaren, Shawna and Dustin; 11 step-great-grandchildren, seven step-great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sarah Rhodes; infant brother, Brooks Gardner Jr.; and stepgrandson, Andy Dotson.
Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26 at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw. Funeral services will follow at 11 with Pastor Glenn Hall officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, with military honors.
Memorial contributions can be made to Stillwater Hospice, 1515 Provident Drive, Suite 250, Warsaw, IN 46580.
To sign the guestbook or send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.