Orville Leo Gardner

Orville Leo Gardner 89, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2016 at American Village Sr. Healthcare Center in Indianapolis. Orville was born on March 14, 1927 in Lebanon, Pa, to the late Elmer Miller Gardner & Grace Showalter Gardner. At age 5 the family moved & he grew up on the Gardner dairy farm in Bridgewater, VA. Orville graduated from Bridgewater HS in 1944 & received a B.A degree from Bridgewater College in 1952. He met his wife Ardith Dione Newcomer in summer 1950 while they were volunteering at Elgin State Hospital, Elgin Illinois. They both moved to Chicago where he earned a M.Div. degree from Bethany Theological Seminary in 1955. He then earned an advanced Master’s degree in Psychology & Pastoral Counseling from Boston University’s School of Theology & completed further training in Paul Tillich’s School of Philosophical Theology at Harvard University in 1957. Orville & Ardith were married June 1, 1953. They celebrated 63 years of marriage. Surviving are his wife Ardith Gardner, 1 daughter, Emily Gardner of Indianapolis & 1 son, Todd Gardner & wife Andrea Goebel of Rileyville, VA, & 2 granddaughters, Katrina Gardner Goebel & Samantha Gardner Goebel of Rileyville, VA & 1 sister, Eva Reeves of Bridgewater. Orville has numerous nieces & nephews, many residing in the Shenandoah Valley of VA. Orville was preceded in death by 1 daughter, Laurie Gardner, R.N,Riley Children’s Hospital at IU Health, 4 brothers, Hershel, Harry, Nelson & Merle & 3 sisters, Esther, Hilda Ruff & Hazel North Garber. He served as pastor at 3 churches; the Federated Church of Charlton, MA,1957-58, South Bay Community Church of the Brethren, Redondo Beach, CA,1958-62 & Northview Church of the Brethren, Indianapolis, IN, 1962-67. He then began 22 years of public service in 3 branches of government; the Indiana State Civil Rights Commission, Indianapolis, 1967-71, US Dept. of HEW, Chicago 1971-72, & US Dept. of HUD, Indianapolis, 1972-1989. After retiring in 1989, he assisted his wife Ardith in her volunteer work on behalf of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Whether as pastor, civil rights investigator & advocate, or housing counselor, Orville’s life work was helping others. A public Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, July 23rd at 3:00P at Northview Church of the Brethren, 5555 E. 46th St, Indianapolis. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Gleaner’s Food Bank of Indiana, www.gleaners.org. Arrangements entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan-Broad Ripple.