Gardner, Ben Hayes

Mr. Ben H. Gardner, age 80, passed away Tuesday morning, November 7, 2006. He was born August 31, 1926 in Martin, TN to Ben "Pete" and Ruth Marie (Kerley) Gardner and had resided in the Muskegon area since 1928. Mr. Gardner was a U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII and a member of St. Francis deSales Catholic Church. He had been employed by the City of Muskegon Police Department for 31 years before retiring in 1986 as Captain, and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Mr. Gardner enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. On September 15, 1951, he married the former Joan Elinor Simonson in Muskegon and she survives him along with 2 daughters, Jeanne (Michael) Smith of Muskegon, Ruth (Edwin, Jr.) Sagan; 8 grandchildren; and 3 sisters-in-law, Shirley (Michael) Koteles, Pat Simonson, and Mary Simonson. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Stephen Joseph Gardner; his parents; and 2 very special friends, Kingsley Bell and William Homfeld. PRIVATE FAMILY SERVICES will be held. Entombment will take place in St. Mary's Mausoleum. MEMORIALS to the Harbor Hospice Poppen House will be appreciated.