James Arthur Gard Sr.

J. Arthur Gard, Sr., 99 passed away Saturday evening at his home, the “Searles-Gard Homestead Farm”, with family by his side. He was born on November 4, 1912 to Wendell E. “Bert” and Olive L. (Searles) Gard in Wayne Township, Huntington County. He graduated from Banquo High School in 1931. He was a life long farmer in Lancaster and Wayne Townships, Huntington County. He enjoyed his family, Huntington Vikings, IU basketball, Huntington County 4-H Fair Animal Judging, coon hunting, New York Yankee Baseball, and bird watching from his kitchen window. He kept his family and friends entertained with stories and jokes.

Arthur is survived by his wife of 77 years: Marjorie (Knight) Gard; four daughters and three sons: Sandra (Gary) Wegenke of Kalamazoo, MI; Dianne (Jim) Surfus-Burk of Decatur; Jane (Edward) Polzin of Angola; James A. (Sydney) Gard, Jr. of Edmond, OK; Charles (Cathy) Gard of Huntington; Richard (Cindy) Gard of Kokomo; Cathy (Patrick) Pearson of Bluffton. He is also survived and loved by 15 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four sisters: Thelma Bailey, Mable Hathaway, Mildred Lomont, Lela Gilbert, two brothers: Elbert Gard, John Gard and a great grandson: Dustin Makowski.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, Indiana.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. with one hour of visitation prior to the service on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel with Pastor Scot Nedberg officiating.

Interment will be at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Warren.

Memorials can be made to Huntington North Future Farmers of America or to Huntington County 4-H Fair Association both in care of Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, IN 46750.