John Gardner

John Ira Gardner, 102

Beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, John Ira Gardner, 102, of Silverton, Idaho, passed away March 14, 2018 at the Schneidmiller Hospice House of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.  He was born September 23, 1915 in Frog Lake, Alberta, Canada; John was the son of James Joseph and Mary Ira (Whittenberg) Gardner.

John attended and graduated from the Kellogg High School of Kellogg, Idaho in 1934. He then attended and received a bachelors degree from the Willamette University of Salem, Oregon.

John proudly served his country as a U.S. Navy Pilot.

John first married Zoe Campbell Fretz on July 4, 1943 in Florida; Zoe passed away in March of 1972.  He then married Delza (Martin) McKelvy on May 5, 1973 at the United Methodist Church of Wallace; Delza passed away January 16, 2017.

John had residences in both Tillamook, Oregon and here in the Silver Valley.  He permanently moved to the Silver Valley in the early 1990’s.

John served as the executive director for the YMCA in Tillamook, Oregon for many years; he retired in 1975.

John was a member of the Tillamook Elks Lodge #1437 of Tillamook, Oregon.  He loved and enjoyed his family, fishing, playing cards, traveling and flying as a pilot; in his younger years he enjoyed skiing.

John is survived by three children Jim (Lisa) Gardner of Santa Rosa, California, J. Robert Gardner of Portland, Oregon and David (Deborah) Gardner of Portland, Oregon; five grandchildren Patrick Specht, Thomas Specht, Cileia Howe, Shirley Howe and Jiahe Wang; several great-grandchildren; John was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Zoe, his second wife Delza, two daughters Peggy Gardner in 2008 and Georgia Specht in 2006, and one sister Hazel Meacham in 2001.

Graveside Services will be held on Monday, March 19, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at the Shoshone Memorial Gardens of Pinehurst, Idaho with Rev. Art Fleming officiating.

One may sign John’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com

SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES KELLOGG, IDAHO is entrusted with funeral arrangements.