Benjamin Gardner's Obituary
Benjamin Arthur Gardner, age 87, of Grand Haven passed away Monday, August 1, 2005. He was born August 10, 1917, to William and Esther (Pardee) Gardner in Grand Haven, MI; and he married Marjorie Rowell in 1946 in Grand Haven. She preceded him in death October 31, 1989.
A lifelong area resident, he was a self-employed mason (Ben Gardner Mason Contractor). Ben was a WWII Veteran, serving with the U. S. Army in the Pacific Theater. He was a member of the American Legion-Charles Conklin Post 28 and the F. O. Eagles-Aerie #925 in Grand Haven. Ben was an avid hunter and fisherman; he enjoyed gardening, cooking, woodworking, and dancing at the American Legion and the Eagles.
Survivors include two daughters, Judy (Larry) Bates of Grand Haven, Sally (Ed) Hendricks of West Melbourne, FL; a son, Benjamin (Gail) Gardner of Grand Haven; three grandchildren, Marc Bates, Kevin Gardner, Shannon Mullennix; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Bisacky of Grand Haven; a brother, William (Jean) Gardner of Grand Haven; a sister-in-law, Margaret Merele of Muskegon; special friend Virginia Beekman of Grand Haven; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Tammy Bates, in 1991; and by his second wife, Wanda Majeski, in 1997; and by four sisters; and several sisters- and brothers-in-law.
A funeral service for Benjamin A. Gardner will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home in Grand Haven with Rev. Daniel Anderson officiating. Military Rites will be provided under the auspices of the American Legion-Charles Conklin Post 28. Friends may meet the family 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Historic Cemetery, Grand Haven. Memorials to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association are appreciated. Share memories with the family at their “Online Guest Book” at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad
Grand Haven
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