Born: December 30, 1936
Died: September 1, 2019
Benjamin "Ben" D. Gardner 82 of Streator passed away Sunday morning (September 1, 2019) at his home.
Following cremation a visitation will be held Friday from 10-12noon at the Winterrowd Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Friday at noon at the funeral home with full military honors conducted by members of the Streator American Legion and VFW.
Ben was born on December 30, 1936 in Streator to Clinton and Elizabeth (Davis) Gardner. He married Carole Norman in May of 1960. He later married Sandy Richards on November 4, 1993. She survives.
Also surviving are children Vickie (Ron) Salisbury of Streator, Benjamin D. (Nancy) Gardner of Toano, VA, Kevin C. Gardner of Georgia and Christopher (Lisa) Gardner of Colorado Springs, CO, several step children, 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and a sister Noel (Neal) Sutton of Scottsdale, AZ.
He is preceded in death by his parents, 1st wife Carole in September of 2014, 1 great-granddaughter and a brother Joe Gardner.
Ben attended Streator High School, IVCC and ISU. He served in the US Navy, member of the American Legion, VFW, Naval Mine Warfare Association, Northern Illinois Destroyer Escot Sailor Association, Sharkhunter International Inc., Lazy Acres and Sandyford Sportmans Club. Ben retired from Scott Lad Foods as a supervisor and currently employed at Illinois Central School Bus at the Peru location.
Memorials may be made to either the American Cancer Society or the Veteran of Foreign War.
Winterrowd Funeral Home
305 S. Park St.
Streator, IL 61364
815-672-2703