John W. Gardner, age 83, of Wellston, passed away peacefully and went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 10, 2015 at the Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis, Ohio. He was born May 23, 1931 in Hamden, Ohio to the late Earl N. and Jenny L. Wallar Gardner.
John was a 1949 graduate of Hamden High School and was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during the Korean War. Following 34 years of employment, John retired from McNally Pittsburg Manufacturing in Wellston, where he was a shipping and receiving supervisor. He was a former employee of the Chillicothe Correctional Institute, from where he also retired. John was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in Wellston, where he served as an elder. He was a member and past Master of the Black Diamond Lodge #538 F&AM in Wellston; honorary member of the Orphans Friend Lodge #275 in Wilkesville; a 32nd Degree Mason; member of the Jackson County Shrine Club, and a member of the Chase Chapter #162 Order of the Eastern Star. John was also a member of the American Legion Post #476 in Wilkesville; the Star Grange in Meigs County, and a member of both the Wellston and Albany Senior Citizens. John enjoyed traveling and going to Florida for the winter for the last 23 years.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Carolyn Miller Gardner; his daughter, Christy Eckstein, and her husband Steve, and the pride and joy of his life, his grandchildren, Derek and Susanna Eckstein, all of Washington Court House; sister, Ollie Williams of Florida, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends in Ohio and Florida.
Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by father-in-law and mother-in-law, Marvin and Helen Miller; sister, Rose Rinehart; brothers-in-law, Chet Rinehart, Dwight Williams, Richard Miller and Ronald Miller; sisters-in-law, Donna Miller and Phyllis Miller; and nephew, Joe Williams.
Calling hours will be Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston, where Masonic service will be held at 8 p.m. Funeral service will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Wellston with John Pelletier, CLP and Pastor Todd Mauer officiating. Burial will follow in the Hamden Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Post 371 of Wellston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s name can be given to the First Presbyterian Church, 18 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Wellston, Ohio 45692. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com