Wayne Gardner, 82, of Windsor, Missouri, passed away early Friday morning, April 12, 2024, at Ridgecrest Nursing Home, Warrensburg, Mo.
He was born August 7, 1941, in Windsor, Mo., the son of Russell Irvin Gardner and Dorothy Christine (Botts) Gardner. On July 20, 1979, he married Patricia Lee “Patty” Allen in Miami, Oklahoma and she preceded him in death on July 23, 2011.
Wayne graduated from Windsor High School in 1959. He served in the United States Army from 1966-1968. He attended auto body trade school in Kansas City and began working at an auto body repair shop in Windsor with Gordon Brown in the late 1960s. He taught auto body repair at Warrensburg High School for a short time. Wayne opened his own shop in Windsor, Gardner Body Shop/W&P Sales & Service, which he owned and operated together with his wife Patty for many years. He loved fishing, going dancing, and was an avid fan of the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs. He was a member of the former Windsor Jaycees, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge #187 in Windsor and was a Mason. He was a member of the Farrington Park Board and helped build many of the original displays for Christmas in the Park, enjoyed by the Windsor community for many years.
Survivors include 2 daughters, Stephanie Gardner and Kathy Tumlinson (Shane), all of Sedalia, Mo.; 3 step-sons, Scott Williams, Keith Williams (Sharon), and Kevin Williams (Penny), all of Windsor; 9 grandchildren, Cheyanne Tumlinson (Kyla), Kiley Tumlinson (Dylan Scott), Samantha Williams (Knicole), Jonathan Williams, Austin Harding (Emily), Kaitlin Beamer (Chris Agee), Shelby Goenen (Riley), Devyn Williams, and Tucker Williams; 3 great-grandchildren, Blakley Beamer, Wesley Beamer, and Tate Goenen; a sister-in-law, Zoni Gardner; 2 nieces, Mindy Flick and Mia Scherer; a nephew, Matt Gardner; and several cousins. In addition to his wife Patty, he was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Polly; and a brother, Robert Dean Gardner.
Memorial services will be 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Hadley Funeral Home, Windsor, with Pastor John Streit officiating. Military Honors will follow the service. The family will receive friends before the service from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The family suggests contributions to Special Olympics in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.hadleyfuneralhome.com.
