Thelma Ruth Gardner

Thelma was born June 11, 1927 in Peoria, the daughter of Homer & Murriel J. (Byram) Briggs. She married Joseph C. Gardner Sr. on March 30, 1944 in Peoria. He preceded her in death on December 31, 1975 in Pekin.

She is survived by one daughter, Valorie Tribbett of Peoria; five grandchildren, Greg Tribbett of Phoenix, Arizona, Matt Tribbett of Pekin, Jamie Vittatoe of North Carolina, Aaron Gardner of North Carolina, and Natasha (Rick) Tribbett of Peoria; four great-grandchildren, Kaleb Frye, Michael, Meredith and Megan Vittatoe; two brothers, Homer (Nancy) Briggs of East Peoria, and Harry (Charlotte) Briggs of Peoria; two sisters, Nancy Koeppel and Mary Koeppel both of Peoria; and many nieces and nephews.

Thelma was preceded in death by two sons, A.J. Gardner, and Joseph C. Gardner Jr.; two brothers and one sister.

She retired from Caterpillar after 35 years of service.

Thelma was a breast cancer survivor.

She was involved with The American Legion. She was also an avid bowler and Cub Fan. She tried to go to every Mudvayne concert she could get to.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday July 6, 2012 at Davison-Fulton Woolsey Funeral Home in Pekin, Illinois. Pastor Dena Fuller will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.

Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens, In Pekin.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society and American Heart Association.

Please visit Thelma’s story at www.Davison-FultonWoolsey.com.