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Ralph C. Gardner

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | April 19, 2017

Ralph Cecil Gardner, 92, of Bethel Park, went to be with his Lord Wednesday, April 19, 2017. He and his daughter Linda shared an apartment his last two years. Born November 26, 1924 in Layton, Fayette County, PA, he was the son of the late Lawrence W. and Toyley (Stauffer) Gardner. His wife of 62 years, Gladys (Brewer) Gardner preceded him in death on March 23, 2007. They lived in Port Vue for 50 years. He is survived by his daughters, Linda Kay (the late Charles) Fowler of Bethel Park, Sandra Jean (David) Altman of Vero Beach, FL; grandchildren, Justin (Dana) Fowler, Kristin (Edward) Cunningham, Sarah Marie (Kyle) Kopko; great-grandchildren Marcus and McKenna Fowler, and Mary Elizabeth Kopko.

Ralph was preceded in death by his siblings, Earl, Bobby, and Lawrence. He was a member of the First Evangelical Free Church in McKeesport. He and his wife served in the church for many years. Mr. Gardner was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Local 1160 for 66 years. He was in the Carpenters Union apprentice school for seven years. He worked for Empire Lumber Company, West Elizabeth Lumber Company, and Hall Lumber Company and then retired in 1987. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII on U.S.S. L.S.T. 174 where he was a Quarter Master 1^st Class. Mr. Gardner spent 15 months on the Mediterranean Sea and was in the invasion of Anzio, Italy and Southern France. He was an active fisherman and loved working in the garden. He lived at Arrowood Independent living for five years where he taught the Bible Visitation and worked in the garden. Family and friends will be received at the Willing Funeral Home on Friday, April 21, 2017 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 11 a.m. Pastor Ed Neimann will officiate. Interment will follow in Mount Washington Cemetery in Perryopolis. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Wounded Warriors Project or Western Pennsylvania Humane Society. Condolences may be shared at www.willigfuneralcremationservices.com.

Originally published April 19, 2017.

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