Roger Lewis Gardner
Roger Lewis Gardner, an extremely hard-working man who loved life, died unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Roger, 78, of Vermontville, was born March 9, 1944, in Battle Creek, the son of Howard and Dorothy (Weeks) Gardner. From a young age, Roger had a strong work ethic; he started farming in his late 20’s while also working full time as a truck driver for Crandell Brothers Trucking Co. Later in life he owned the South End Party Store with his wife. Roger was the perfect definition of a workaholic. On June 15, 1974, Roger married the love of his life, Diane Pettengill, and together spent the next 47 years creating their legacy. He was known for his gift of gab. Roger loved his daily morning coffee shop trips where he could talk to his brothers and people, trips to the local tractor shows, wherever there were people, Roger loved going. Later in life Diane stopped going places with him because she knew that even the shortest of stops would be a long stop because Roger would start talking with someone. He also enjoyed wintering in Leesburg, Florida with Diane. Roger had a love for airplanes. He once purchased a junk plane and re-built the entire plane. The joke was in his wallet there are no photos of family members, just his plane. Roger also enjoyed golfing, riding his Harley, and recently his annual trip to drive his tractor across the Mackinac Bridge. Above all Roger will be remembered for being a man who knew what he wanted, and how to do it.
Roger is survived by his wife, Diane; children, Forrest Gardner, Denice (Bill Rentz) Scramlin; grandchildren, Cortney (Jesus Rodriguez) Gardner, Jacob Gardner, Hana Hunt, Amanda (John) Coblentz, Matthew Scramlin; great-grandchildren, Kailea, Abeni, Corbin James, Siena, Neko, Noah, Jackson, Ethan, Rylee; great-great-grandson, Krue Michael; siblings, Helen Bond, Robert (Lois) Gardner, Forrest (Elaine) Gardner, Shirley (Rod) Harmon; brother-in-law, Will Pettengill; sisters-in-law, Anne Hankamp, Patricia (Dennis) Steffes; many nieces, nephews, and his furry friends. He was predeceased by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Jennie and William Pettengill; brothers-in-law, Raymond Bond, Steven Hankamp, Timothy Pettengill; sister-in-law, Tina Williams; nephews, Brandon Harmon, Pat Gardner; grandson, Corbin Allan Gardner; great-grandson, Dominic Rodriguez.
Friends are encouraged to support Rogers’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2022, from 2-4:00 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to a local Humane Society of your choice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.