David D. Gardner, 64, passed away at 12:27 am on January 3, 2021 following a long battle with Huntington’s Disease. David was born on June 28, 1956, in Vincennes the son of George and Virginia Lee (Johnson) Gardner. He married Pamela J. Summers on May 30, 1987.
David was a 1974 Graduate of Vincennes Lincoln High School and a 1978 graduate of Indiana State University School of Business. He then went on and earned a degree in Funeral Service in 1979 from Vincennes University. He began working at Dexter Gardner and Son Funeral Home, Inc. in 1979 as a seventh-generation funeral director where he held the position of Vice-President for over twenty-one years. He loved being a funeral director and provided great care for the families he served. David was also actively involved in the community and was a past president of the Vincennes Rotary Club where he had been a Paul Harris Fellow and Vincennes University Alumni Association. His other memberships include the Vincennes University Society, Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge #1, Scottish Rite, Hadi Shrine, Harmony Society, and Jaycees. David was also a member of First United Methodist Church where he served as treasurer, and usher. He was a member of the YMCA board for eighteen years and received The Vincennes YMCA Ray Beless Award in 2006. He also was recognized in 2001 as a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Frank O’Bannon and that same year was honored by the city’s Spirit of ’76 Award.
David was also an avid reader, enjoyed reading multiple newspapers and read many Presidential biographies. He also enjoyed Lincoln High School Homecoming activities and was a loyal supporter of the St. Louis Cardinal’s, Vincennes University Trailblazer basketball, and the Vincennes Lincoln Alice’s. David was a friend to many and never forgot a name.
Survivors include his wife, Pamela J. Gardner of Vincennes; his father George D. Gardner and his wife Linda of Terre Haute, IN; nephew, Travis Satterfield of Indianapolis, IN; mother-in-law, Pat Summers of Vincennes; brother-in-law, Ron Thomas of Vincennes; sister-in-law’s, Lynn Brauns and her husband Kevin of Plainfield, IN, Angie McHale and her husband Col. Ed McHale of Clarksville, TN; nephews, Daniel R. Stryzinski of Denver, CO, Eric Stryzinski of Indianapolis, IN, Phillip Brauns of Plainfield, IN, Mitchell Brauns and his wife Hannah of Plainfield, IN; and step-brother, Joran Scott of Terre Haute, IN. David was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Lee Gardner, sister, Jan R. Thomas, and his father-in-law, Dr. Phillip M. Summers.
Friends may visit with David’s family from 4-8 pm on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, Gardner-Brockman Chapel, 505 Main St., Vincennes. Funeral services for David will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, January 8, 2020 at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Matt Swisher officiating. For those who will not be able to attend the funeral service you will be able to watch the live stream of David’s funeral service on our website under David’s obituary. David will be laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery. The Gardner family requests memorial contributions be made to the Knox County Community Foundation David and Pam Gardner Fund, Vincennes University Foundation or the Vincennes YMCA. Online memories may be shared with David’s family and friends at www.goodwinsieversfh.com.
Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is honored to assist the Gardner family with arrangements.