

Erna was born on October 19, 1930, in Chicago, IL, to Paul and Mimi (Kiesbye) Moeller of Hamburg, Germany. Erna has one sibling, Alice Wheeler who survives in California. She was married to Charles A. Gardner on February 15, 1947 in Peoria.
Erna's fearlessness made her the mother of all reinvention in her career life. She was the first female bus driver in the area, at Sacre Couer; President at Oberlander Electric, from which she retired; Police/ Fire Dispatcher for North Pekin for several years, a Correspondent for the Journal Star and Pekin Daily Times, School Secretary/Bookkeeper for District 102 in North Pekin, '66-'68, and Getz Fire Equipment.
"Big Ern" was a social member of the German-American society, coached Little League in North Pekin, an active member at St. Vincent de Paul as Eucharistic Minister, President and Secretary of several bowling leagues, Cub Scout Den Mother for Pack 145 in North Pekin, a lifetime member of the Illinois Valley Yacht Club in Peoria Heights and Coral Ridge Yacht Club in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Erna loved to knit newborn sweater sets for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her favorite thing to do was to dance with her husband, Charlie.
Erna is survived by her four children: Jim (Vicky), John Sr. (Josie Fincham), Steve Sr. (Candy) and Terri (John) Jones. Erna also had 8 surviving grandchildren: Steve Jr. (Stephanie), John Jr. (Crystal), Chad (Ashley), Dana (John) McCook, Robert (Wendy), Lisa (Chris) Jungwirth, Jessica (Tony) Vais, Ryan (Abby) Mattes. Erna was proud to boast fifteen great grandchildren, whom she loved dearly, from 21years old to 4months old.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Mimi Moeller; step father, Walter Richter; toy poodle, Coco; and husband, Charlie, in 1999.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 3, 2014 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Davison-Fulton Woolsey- Wilton Funeral Home on Allen Rd and Willow Knolls in Peoria. A Rosary will be recited at 3:45 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Additional visitation will be Monday from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the Church. A Funeral Mass will begin at 10am on Monday, August 4 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.
Erna will be laid to rest next to the love of her life in Springdale Cemetery.
All memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association.
Please view Erna’s obituary online at www.Woolsey-WiltonFuneralHome.com
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