Submitted by: Dan Rich

Richard Willis Gardner

March 21, 1913 - April 11, 2002

South Bend Tribune 4/14/2002

Richard Willis Gardner, 89, of Hammond, Ind., died peacefully at home on Thursday, April 11, 2002.

He was born in South Bend, Ind., on March 21, 1913, to Richard Ernest and Anna Josephine Ledgerwood Gardner.

He married Wanda Seemann Lippincott on Sept. 14, 1936, in South Bend. He is survived by his three daughters, Alexandra Riddle of Munster, Ind., Elizabeth (Roger) Kapla of Midland, Mich., and Margaret (David) Rich of Munster; one son, Richard (Bonnilyn) Gardner of Munster; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; one sister, Joan Gardner of Maine; and by one brother, Angus Gardner of Alabama. His wife, parents, one sister and one brother preceded him in death.

Mr. Gardner founded the Calumet Construction Corporation of Hammond in 1946. During their 58 years in Hammond, Richard and his wife Wanda were involved in numerous organizations benefiting the community.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 6021 Hohman Avenue, Hammond, on Monday, April 15, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Northern Indiana Arts Association's Richard W. and Wanda L. Gardner Fund or to the First Presbyterian Church Benevolent Fund would be appreciated. The Burns-Kish Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge of arrangements.