Robert Lee Gardner, 79, 646 W. Fulton St., Celina died at 9:40 a.m. Dec. 15, 2009, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 8, 1930, in Celina to Albert Adolph and Elfreida Friemeiring Gardner. On June 15, 1957, he married Norma Jean Linn, who survives.

Other survivors are three sons, William and Joe Gardner, both of Celina, and John (Kim) Gardner, Rockford; three daughters, Deanna (Rev. Patrick) Bayens, Mount Vernon, N.Y., Jane (Scott) Snyder, Yorba Linda, Calif., and Nancy McDuffie, Marion; two sisters, Norma Jean Borgert, Dayton and Shirley (Paul) Brunswick, Maria Stein; 15 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren.

Deceased are two brothers, Cletus and Tom Gardner; and a brother-in-law, Luke Borgert.

He had worked at the former Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, St. Marys, and was a dairy farmer. He also retired from driving buses for Celina City Schools. He attended St. John Lutheran Church, Celina. and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.), Celina, the Mercer County Harness Horseman Association, U.S. Trotting Association and the Mercer County Council on Aging. He graduated from the former Immaculate Conception High School in 1948, and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in the Korean War.

Funeral services are 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the church, the Revs. Paul Baglein and Patrick Bayens officiating. Burial is at North Grove Cemetery, Celina, with military honors.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Friday at the Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home, Celina, with V.F.W. membership services at 7 p.m., and 1 hour before services Saturday at the church.

Contributions can be made to the church.

Condolences may be made at LHDfuneralhome.com.