Obituary for Raymond E Gardner

-RAYMOND EUGENE GARDNER SR BRACEVILLE ; Raymond Eugene Gardner Sr., 81, passed away peacefully into eternal rest on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren. He was born on July 12, 1933, in Mineral Ridge, the son of the late Fred Jay and Irene Ann (Karlen) Gardner.

Ray married the love of his life, Veatrice D. Perry, on June 27, 1953, and they have enjoyed the past 61 years together. After getting married, Ray was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country for two years, from 1954 to 1956. Ray and Veatrice have lived in Braceville since 1965, and formerly of Newton Falls and Mineral Ridge. He started working at Denman Tire Corp. right out of high school and worked there for 40 ^1/2 years, retiring in 1991. Ray and his wife are members of the Lordstown Lutheran Church. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Juanita Ponchak and Irene W. Hartman; three brothers, James, Robert, and Donald Gardner; and one grandchild, Thomas Fiest.

Ray is survived by his wife, Veatrice D. Gardner of Braceville; two daughters, Carla and Charles DiBell of Cortland and Laurina Ann Nobbs and Richard DiBell of Fowler; two sons, Raymond Jr. and Susan Gardner of Southington and Dennis and Pam Gardner of Nashville, Ohio; 16 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at the James Funeral Home in Newton Falls on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at 11 a.m., where friends may call one prior. Calling hours will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Ray will be laid to rest at Green Haven Memorial Gardens in Canfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any donations please be made to either the Lordstown Lutheran Church, 5615 Palmyra Road, Warren, OH 44481; the Ohio State Highway Patrol Benefit Fund, 1970 West Broad St., Columbus, OH 43223; or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the James Funeral Home, 8 East Broad St., Newton Falls.