Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT 6/8/2001

Delbert J. Gardner

Jan. 28, 1928 - June 5, 2001

Delbert James Gardner, 73, of South Bend, Ind., died Tuesday, June 5, after a brave battle with cancer.

His survivors include his beloved wife, Gladys (Phelps) Gardner, and his children, Michele "Shelley" Weatherly and Valorie (Dirk) Paugh, both of San Antonio, Texas, and Kurt Gardner of Los Angeles, Calif. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Robert L. Weatherly Jr., Leslie D. Burleson, Cathryn R. Fisk and Dirk W. Paugh II; five great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Arnold (June) Gardner and Gene (Marty) Gardner.

He was preceded in death by his stepson, Paul Powers of Walkerton, Ind.; two sisters, Tessibell Fox and Louise Gardner; and by two brothers, Bud and Gerald Gardner.

Del was born Jan. 28, 1928, in Rockhill Furnace, Pa., to James Odell and Ella Allean Gardner, and had lived in the South Bend area most of his life. He was a proud veteran, having served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and joined the Bendix (Allied) Corporation's power brake division shortly thereafter. When he retired after 34 years with the company he had risen to the position of director of engineering, and had been awarded 21 patents.

Del was very active in the community, working as a volunteer with the South Bend Public Library and the Center for the Homeless. He was also a prominent member of the Community Congregational Church, tirelessly contributing his time and faith to help spread the teachings of Christ. Del's circle of friends grew larger with each passing year, and he will be missed by many.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today, June 8th, in the Welsheimer Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9th, in the Community Congregational Church, 19671 Cleveland Road, followed by a memorial luncheon. Cremation will take place at Michiana Crematory, with burial to follow at Fletcher Cemetery, Hamlet, Ind., at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 535 W. Edison Road, Unit #6, Mishawaka, IN 46545.