Charles Edward "Chuck" Gardner's Obituary
Charles Edward “Chuck” Gardner, age 61, passed away Thursday, January 23, 2025, at MediLodge at the Shore. He was born January 13, 1964, in Grand Haven, MI to Edward Jack and Gladys Eva (Leonard) Gardner.
Chuck attended St. Mary’s Catholic School then graduated from Spring Lake High School where he did well in track, cross country, basketball, and hockey. He always enjoyed classic cars, and once owned a ’57 Chevy truck, red, of course. Chuck enjoyed backyard parties with the family, playing croquet in the back yard, going to the beach, walking on the pier, and cherished the times of seeing his dad, Jack, in the parades or going to the British Virgin Islands with his dad, Nick, and Jake, and going deep sea diving with his brother, “Beans” who lived there part of the year on a forty-two foot sailboat. Many memories and fun times were had fishing, hunting, swimming, canoeing, and eating venison with family at their 100-year-old cabin up north in Manistee. His first church growing up was St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and when he and Lori changed churches, they attended First Baptist Church of Spring Lake for two years before moving on to Harvest of Spring Lake. Chuck was a member, along with other family members, of the Spring Lake Lions Club.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Lori Gardner, who he met in 2013; two sons, Jake (Maddie) Gardner and Sam Gardner; his former wife and mother of his sons, Kelly Wilson; his sister, Victoria “Vic” Gardner; three brothers: Ed (Colleen) Gardner, Michael “Beans” Gardner and Nick Gardner; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, David (Sharon) Vander Veen, John (Cindy Jo) Vander Veen, Ken (Rhonda) Vander Zee, Phil (Mary Louise) Hooker, Bill (Jan) Sorensen, Terry (Lizbeth) Rathbun, and Chari Ahart; numerous nieces and nephews, and his two furry companions, Miss Kitty and Miss Lilly. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Chad and infant son, Benjamin; daughter Bobby; two stepfathers: Jerry Messer, and Murton Simons; stepmother, Carolyn Vander Veen; father-in-law, John Vander Veen; mother-in-law, Arlene Simons; brother-in-law, K.C. O’Shaughnessy; and niece, Kristen Vander Veen.
A private family service will be held. Arrangements entrusted to The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Memorials to Life Circles PACE are appreciated. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.
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