John Nelson Gardner Sr, 97, formerly of Winona Lake, passed away at 8:45 p.m. Sept. 4, 2012, in his daughter’s North Manchester residence. He was born Feb. 5, 1915, in Socorro, N.M., to John Morgan and Erma Adele Haven Gardner. On April 6, 1935, in Auburn, he married Dorthea Marie Miski, who died May 19, 2007. He was a 1933 graduate of Hastings High School, Michigan, and Michigan State, with a degree in military science and tactics. He entered the U.S. Army Dec. 27, 1940, at Michigan State College (University). He served in the Southwest Pacific as an entomologist during World War II. 1st LT. John N. Gardner was honorably discharged in Fort Sam Houston, Sept. 23, 1944. He ran the shipping department at Lambert Huffman Publishers from 1953 until his retirement in 1966. He co-founded the Maranatha Teaching Ministry and belonged to the Christian Business Men’s Fellowship Surviving are two daughters, Lois (and spouse William) McKinney, North Manchester, and Esther (and spouse Ken) Kauffman, Columbia City; two sons, Jack Eugene (and spouse Mary) Gardner, Morganfield, Ky., and John Nelson Gardner Jr., Warsaw; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. He also was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert Gardner and a stillborn infant brother; and a grandson, John Gardner. No services or calling are planned. Burial will be at a later date with full military honors. Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements. ***** Condolences may be sent via www.titusfuneralhome.com
