Wilma Leona Gardner, 92, of Casey, IL passed away at 7:32 a.m. on Christmas Day, December 25, 2015 at the Casey Health Care Center, Casey, IL. She was born on May 3, 1923, the daughter of Ralph and Beatrice Irene Wilson Cutler. On October 13, 1940, she married Herman Wayne Gardner in St. Charles, MO and they enjoyed 75 years together.

She is survived by her husband, Herman Gardner of Casey, IL; son, Larry (Carolyn) Gardner of Casey, IL; daughter, Linda (Dale) Melton of Casey, IL; granddaughters, Rhonda (Mike) Montgomery of Casey, IL and Lori (Mo) Chehab of Tampa, FL; grandsons, Rich (Jacque) Grafton of Casey, IL and Brent (Tammy) Gardner of Casey, IL; great grandchildren, Lindsay and Michaela Montgomery, Tayelar, Macie and Ridge Grafton, Brian, Andrea and Leana Gardner, all of Casey, IL and Aisha and Ahmad Chehab of Tampa, FL and great great grandson, Chase Montgomery of Casey, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Kenneth (Pat) Cutler, who died on June 14, 2013.

Wilma was a member of the Casey First Baptist Church. She rededicated her life about 6 years ago at the Westfield Baptist Church where she enjoyed following Brother Gene and Thelma Ellis. She was a loving, compassionate wife, mother and grandmother. She was always putting the needs of everyone else before her own. She always had a smile even when she was fighting that awful pain. She was an active partner in the farming operation and drove a school bus for 20 years. She loved the children on the bus route as much as they loved her.

Wilma and Herman began camping in a small tent at Dietz Lake, IN and eventually graduated to a fifth-wheel which they pulled to McAllen, TX for years during the winter months. They later wintered in Tampa, FL where they could enjoy their granddaughter, Lori Chehab and her family. Several years ago, they purchased a “park model” trailer in Tampa and this made their winters even more enjoyable.

Wilma has said many times that she is glad that she had good health when she was young and raising her children. The past 10 years of her life were filled with much pain from stenosis of the spine and peripheral neuropathy in her legs. What actually took her life; we will never know as we spent almost 3 weeks in hospitals trying to diagnosis her problem. She became very weak from all the testing and just wanted to come home. She lasted less than 3 days after she arrived home. Now we must learn to live without her warm smile and her unconditional love.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at the Casey First Baptist Church with Brother Gene Ellis officiating. Burial will follow in the Casey Cumberland Cemetery, Casey, IL. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service at the Casey First Baptist Church, 101 E. Alabama St., Casey, IL.

Memorial donations may be made to Simple Blessings, 203 E. Monroe St., Casey, IL 62420 or Casey Health Care Center, 100 NE Fifteenth St., Casey, IL 62420.

To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle or post photos, visit www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Markwell Funeral Home of Casey, IL is in charge of the arrangements.

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