Arvel Thomas Gardner

OBITUARY ARVEL THOMAS GARDNER Arvel Gardner, age 69 of Bolivar, died Saturday, March 17, 2007 at the Cox Medical Center South in Springfield, after a sudden illness. He was born on February 14, 1938 in Bolivar, the son of Arthur Kemp Gardner and Jessie Lois Stewart Gardner. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Arvel was saved at home at an early age. He graduated from Bolivar High School in 1955, where he played basketball. He was the first player to make a basket in the old Liberator Fieldhouse. Arvel served in the U. S. Army Reserve B-Battery, 3rd and 75th Artillery Unit as a Sergeant 1st Class and Mess Sergeant from 1956-1963. On December 6, 1963, Arvel married Pat Seiner. They were married at the home of Alpha Redford. Three children were born to this union, Myrla, Michael and Mark. Arvel started the Gardner Trailer Manufacturing Business with his dad. he continued this business for 25 years. He also was the local buyer for Pennington Seed, buying fescue seed for 30 years. Arvel enjoyed raising Charolais cattle and was a longtime member of the American International Charolais Association. He also enjoyed riding quarter horses for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Stewart Gardner and his half-sisters, Elizabeth McClure and Dimple Gilmore. Arvel is survived by his wife of 43 years Pat; his daughter Myrla Hall and husband Stacy, and their children, Broch and Macy of Bolivar; his son, Michael Gardner and his wife Jana, and their children, Shane and Colten of Morrisville; his son Mark Gardner and wife Ellen, and their children Hannah and Mason of Bowling Green, KY. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Gamble of Fair Play; his mother-in-law, Juanita Seiner of Bolivar and two sisters-in-law Pam Pascuzzi and her husband Chris of Australia and Neva Gardner of Bolivar. One niece and several nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 1:30 PM in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mike Bruce and Rev. Joe Rouse officiating. Music will be provided by Lisa Jarvis and Charles Ealy, with Mary Childress as the Pianist. Musical selections will be "If God Is Dead" by Lisa Jarvis, "Because He Lives" by Charles Ealy and "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow" by Lisa Jarvis and Charles Ealy. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Casketbearers will be Bob Wheeler, Robert Kifer, Jim Raney, Pete Denslow, Vester Fisher, and Dale Francka. Honorary Casketbearers will be J. C. Meador, Kenny Laird, James Friend, Wayne Wilson and Benton Garrett. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 7-8 PM in the Butler Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association in care of the funeral home. Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Arvel Thomas Gardner

February 14, 1938 - March 17, 2007