Lebanon County PA Archives Obituaries.....Gardner, Conard Lee "Connie"   July 9, 2009
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  File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
  Sharon Sue M. shabodeho@aol.com July 23, 2009, 11:19 pm
  
  Published in the Lebanon Daily News on 7/15/2009
  Gardner, Conard Lee "Connie"    
   
   
  Conard Lee "Connie" Gardner Conard Lee "Connie" Gardner of Reigerts Lane in 
  South Annville Township went home to his Savior and Lord on July 9, 2009, after 
  a long and valiant battle against diabetes and its complications. He was 86 
  years old. Born on Oct. 19, 1922, in Penn Laird, Va., he was a son of the late 
  Clarence Lee Gardner and Frances Virginia Bush Gardner. Shortly after Conard's 
  birth, the family moved to Pennsylvania and purchased an Annvillearea cattle 
  farm. Conard graduated from Annville High School in 1940, an accomplished 
  athlete in four varsity sports but particularly talented in baseball. After 
  graduation, he joined his father in the family cattle business until 1942, when 
  he was drafted during World War II. While in the service, Conard received 
  specialized training at the University of Pennsylvania and the Citadel before 
  being assigned to Military Police units both stateside and overseas. In that 
  capacity, he served as a bodyguard to Princess Juliana of Holland and to First 
  Lady Eleanor Roosevelt while she was visiting troops in the Pacific. 
  Eventually, he was selected for a specialized cryptology unit on the Island of 
  Curacao. When not in the code room, Conard played baseball in many island 
  tournaments during which he was once offered a tryout with the Detroit Tigers 
  at the conclusion of the war. Following his discharge in 1946, Conard returned 
  home to the family cattle business until he joined the Metropolitan Life 
  Insurance Company. Conard never defined his own success by his career 
  accomplishments, however, but rather by the well-being of his family. On 
  October 24, 1954, Conard married Joyce Baier, with whom he would have 
  celebrated his 55th wedding anniversary this year. Together, they raised three 
  children, who have been profoundly affected by their dad's example of 
  integrity, work ethic and servanthood. They are: Mike, husband of Patti 
  Gallagher Gardner, Ponce Inlet, Fla., who shares his father's mischievous sense 
  of humor yet sensitive spirit; Jim, husband of Mary Meyer Gardner, Annville, 
  who shares his father's servant's heart; and Kathy, wife of David Wingert, 
  Lebanon, who was and always be proud to be her daddy's "Sweeter." In 
  retirement, Conard most enjoyed being "Pop Pop" to his seven grandchildren: 
  Jenny, 23; David, 22; Matt, 19; Mary Rebecca, 18; Daniel, 17; Chris, 15; and 
  Katie, 13. While in good health, Conard was very active in his church and 
  community. As a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, he served on church 
  council and as part of the finance, education, and organ search committees. He 
  was also particularly active in veterans' support organizations, serving the 
  Annville American Legion Post for many years as commander, service officer, 
  building committee chair, and bookkeeper. As his children became involved in 
  competitive swimming, he followed them as a volunteer, serving as a long-time 
  AAU swimming official and president of the TriCounty Swim League. He was also a 
  long-term member of the board of the A-C Pool and a member of the Mount Olive 
  Masonic Lodge No. 704. In later years, Conard and Joyce made the Evangelical 
  Free Church of Hershey their church home, and they joined its North Annville 
  Community Group. He relished the Sunday evening gatherings of this group as 
  they met for fellowship and study. Conard's extended family includes brother, 
  Calvin Gardner of Chambersburg; nephew James Tice of Mechanicsburg; niece Amy 
  Brown of Chambersburg; and aunt Lorraine Bender of Palmyra. He is also survived 
  by numerous cousins and great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 
  his parents; his sister, Vivian; and a niece and nephew. A celebrations of 
  Conard's life and faith is planned for Monday, July 20, at 2:30 p.m. at the 
  Evangelical Free Church of Hershey, 330 Hilltop Road, Hummelstown. Burial will 
  be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made 
  either to the Evangelical Free Church of Hershey, P.O. Box 648, Hershey, AP 
  17033, for the development of recreational ball fields on the South Campus of 
  the church, or to the Masonic Village, 1 Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA, 
  17022, where in 2006 Conrad received expert and loving postamputation 
  rehabilitative care that allowed him to return to his life at home. Kreamer 
  Funeral Home and Crematory, Annville, is handling arrangements.  
  Published in the Lebanon Daily News on 7/15/2009  
  
  
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