James A. "Jim" Gardner

James A. “Jim” Gardner, 76, passed away in his Warsaw home on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

Jim was born in Bourbon, Indiana on August 8, 1948 to Alexander Brooks and Opal Mae (Phillips) Gardner. He graduated from Triton High School.

He served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany and Vietnam, and was Honorably Discharged in 1971.

Jim married Evelyn (Johnson) Bender on February 22, 2000 in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. The couple moved back to the area in 2021.

He worked as a roll tender for RR Donnelley for 30 years. He also was a mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Tippecanoe, Indiana.

Jim was a one-of-a-kind character and a genuine jokester. When living in Arizona, he enjoyed driving his golf cart to the post office and to the local V.F.W. #857. He enjoyed raising livestock on a small farm outside of Mentone for many years.

Jim is survived by his wife, Evelyn Gardner; his children: Timothy Gardner of Etna Green and Catherine Gardner of Warsaw; step-children: William J. Dotson of Ft. Wayne and Charlene (Paul) Kramer of Bowling Green, FL; 7 step-grandchildren: Zach, Zeb, Zeke, Zaren, Shawna and Dustin; 11 step-great-grandchildren, 7 step-great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sarah Rhodes; infant brother, Brooks Gardner Jr.; and step-grandson, Andy Dotson.

Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw. Funeral services will follow at 11 with Pastor Glenn Hall officiating.

Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw with Military Honors.

Memorial contributions can be made to Stillwater Hospice, 1515 Provident Dr, Suite 250. Warsaw, IN 46580.