Mark L. Gardner

RICHMOND, Ind. – You have been told that Mark L. Gardner of Richmond died on December 17, 2016. Don’t believe a word of it! To paraphrase D.L. Moody, “At that moment he shall be more alive than he was before; he joined Christ in Heaven. He was born of the flesh in 1955, but born in Christ in 1977. That which is born of the flesh will die, but that which is born of the Spirit will live forever.” Mark graduated from Anthony Wayne High School in Whitehouse, Ohio; the University of Toledo, B.B.A./MBA; and completed three years of coursework toward a Ph.D. in accounting at the University of Kentucky. He taught accounting at the University of Kentucky, Lexington Community College, Centre College, the University of Wyoming, Ivy Tech, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Indiana University East. Mark is preceded in death by his mother, Nan Gardner. Mark is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Lynn. She was his high school sweetheart, his best friend, his bucket list, and his perfect partner. God knew what He was doing when He put them together! Mark also leaves behind his incredible girls and their incredible husbands, Kristen (Greg) Adams, Kelly (Ross) Matlock, and Emily (Chris) Rice; his amazing grandchildren, Elise, Luke, and Ryleigh Adams, Jovie Rice, and Makenna Matlock, due in March 2017; his loving family, including his dad, Harry B. Gardner III, brother, Bruce Gardner, and sisters, Rebecca (Dennis) Myrick and Robin Gardner; Lynn’s family, who he loved deeply; nieces; nephews; and many friends. Mark loved serving God, attending Fountain City Wesleyan Church and BSF, dinner dates and traveling with Lynn, father-daughter dates, road trips with the sons-in-law, playing cards with his siblings and parents, being silly with the grandkids, people, UK basketball, Pittsburgh Steelers’ football, fishing, teaching, hot air balloons, and gardening. Visitation for Mark L. Gardner will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2016, at Fountain City Wesleyan Church, 5600 North U.S. 27, Richmond. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2016, at Fountain City Wesleyan Church with Rev. Keith Vincent and Rev. Dave Stephens officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Fountain City Wesleyan Church, 5600 North U.S. 27, Richmond, IN 47374 (Fcwesleyan.org); Bible Study Fellowship Global Headquarters, 19001 Huebner Road, San Antonio, TX 78258-4019 (www.bsfinternational.org); or IU East Mark Gardner Memorial Scholarship Fund, IU East External Affairs, 2325 Chester Blvd., Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Mark L. Gardner

February 12, 1955 - December 17, 2016