Roy N Gardner

PEKIN ~ Roy Nelson Gardner, 61, of Pekin, passed away at 2:48 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2012 at Pekin Hospital.

Born February 20, 1951 in Pekin to Ferd and Ida Evelyn (Emmons) Gardner, Jr., he married Delaine "Dee" Thompson on March 4, 1972 in Pekin.  She survives.

He is also survived by two daughters, Nancy (Glen) Roberts and Patty Gardner, both of Pekin; three brothers, Randy (Donna) Gardner and Ferd Gardner, both of San Jose and Scott Gardner of Green Valley; two sisters, Deb (Jesse) Hasty of Groveland and Robin (Ron) Waller of South Pekin; and several nieces and nephews.  He also leaves Kelly (Kent) Wiker and Elizabeth Wiker and Cody Wiker, all of Pekin, whom he loved like they were his own family.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents; one sister and one grandchild.

Roy was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Pekin. 

He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era.  He was a member of the William Schaefer American Legion Post #44 in Pekin.

Roy had worked as a truck driver for 29 years, last working for PraxAir, where he retired in 2001.

He enjoyed fishing, camping, tinkering with cars and drinking coffee with his buddies.  He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and loved spending time with his nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.  Pastor Mark Thompson will officiate.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin.  Military honors will be provided by Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team and the Military Funeral Honors team.

Memorial contributions may be given to his family to help with expenses.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com