Dale L. Gardner

Dale L. Gardner, 68, of St. Joseph, formerly of Elkton, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, December 21, 2017 at his Home.   Dale was born March 9, 1949 in Pigeon, Michigan to Francis M. & Angelina L. (Leitch) Gardner.  He graduated from Laker High School in Pigeon, Michigan, Class of 1967 and from Ferris State University in 1969.  On August 31, 1968 he married the love of his life, Diane McCain in Pigeon.  Dale & Diane moved to St. Joseph in 1969 and he began his career at Heath-Zenith as a Technical Illustrator, retiring in 1993. Dale loved being with his family and traveling ‘back home’ to the Thumb area of Michigan. Dale enjoyed reading, studying the Bible daily, working on jig saw puzzles, spending time near Lake Michigan and at Lake Bluff Park in St. Joe with Diane.    Dale is survived by his wife Diane; two daughters-Angela Gardner (Al Menter) of Sodus, Dawn (Bill) Craig of Pigeon, MI; four grandchildren-Amber (Jon) Mankowski, Brandon Schroeder, Casey & Justin Craig; great-grandson Bryce Mankowski; his sister Donna (Bob) Delphey of Bad Axe, MI; his brother Richard (Pam) Gardner of Elkton, MI; numerous nieces & nephews and the McCain family. Dale was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law Laird Hartline.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held on January 6th, 2018, at the Scheurer Professional Center, Pigeon, Michigan from 2-5 pm.  Memorial donations may be made to your local Animal Shelter.  Those wishing to sign Dale’s Memory Book online may do so at: “http://www.starks-menchinger.com” www.starks-menchinger.com.