Obituary of Earl S. Gardner

Earl S. Gardner, 87, of 2368 Fardink Rd. Ashville, NY, passed away Wednesday (June 19, 2013) in the Veterans Administration Hospital, Buffalo, NY. A lifelong area resident, he was born August 8, 1925 in Jamestown, NY a son of the late Wallace and Thyra Haines Gardner. Earl was a very proud military man who served over 20 years of active duty. He served in the U.S. Navy enlisting in 1942 during World War II where he received the World War II Victory Medal, the American Ribbon and the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon. He also served in the U.S. Air Force, enlisting three separate time periods and receiving the Air Force Longevity Service Award and the Good Conduct Medal. During his tours of duty he served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Following his military service he returned to Jamestown and worked for the Blackstone Corporation and owned a service station for several years. He was a member of the John W. Tiffany Post 53, Veteran of Foreign Wars, the Henry Mosher Post 638, American Legion, Falconer, NY and the Disabled American Veterans. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed flying his own airplane. Surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by three sisters Jean Cole, Carol Hanley and Virginia Engwall. The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. Sunday in the Lind Funeral Home. Members of the John W. Tiffany Post 53, Veterans of Foreign Wars will officiate. Military honors will be presented by the Jamestown Vietnam Veterans Association. Burial will be in the Panama Union Cemetery. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service on Sunday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Ave. Lakewood, NY 14750 or to a charity of one's choice.