Obituary of Phyllis J. Gardner

Phyllis J. Gardner, 96, of Winamac, IN passed away on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at Wynnfield Crossing in Rochester, IN.  She was born on November 29, 1925 in Elkhart, IN to the late Carl C. and Helen I. [Petit] Himebaugh.  Phyllis graduated from Elkhart High School in 1944.  She then attended Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, MI for two years before earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Indiana State Teacher’s College in Terre Haute, IN.  While in college, Phyllis met the love of her life, Kenneth E. “Kenny” Gardner, and they were married on August 21, 1948.  Phyllis taught elementary, middle school, and high school for 23 years, retiring from Winamac Schools in 1983.  Although she loved teaching, she always said that her first career was as a wife and mother.  Phyllis and Kenny proudly raised their four “Gardner girls” in Winamac.

Phyllis possessed a deep Christian faith and was active in the Winamac First United Methodist Church.  Over the years, she led and participated in various women’s groups, taught Sunday and Bible schools, and assisted with Kiwanis Club dinners.  Phyllis cherished her Wednesday morning Bible study group meetings.  Hers was a living faith, exhibited through her kind words, concern and caring for others, gentleness, and tenderness to those around her.  Her sweetness and love were a part of her to the very end. 

Phyllis was a member of Monroe Modern Home Ec Club for over 50 years.  She especially enjoyed helping her daughters and other young women with their 4H sewing projects. 

Phyllis and Kenny traveled throughout the United States and many parts of the world together, always making friends wherever they went.  They often traveled with People to People, an organization founded in 1956 by the Eisenhower administration to build cultural connections between everyday citizens around the world.  This organization embodies Phyllis and Kenny’s love of people and travel.

Phyllis will be deeply missed, but her love will be a part of everyone she touched forever.

She is survived by:

Kenneth E. Gardner, Winamac, IN Husband

Susan K. Gardner, Eagle, CO Daughter

April L. Gardner, Winamac, IN Daughter

Nan E. Gardner, Eagle, CO Daughter

Wendy G. (Chuck) Rose, Winamac, IN Daughter

Michael D. Rose, Grandson

Katie L. Kennedy, Granddaughter

Evan C. Rose, Grandson

Anya L. Kurronen, Granddaughter

Kenna E. Kurronen, Granddaughter

Eleanor J. Gardner, Granddaughter

Amelia G. Gardner, Granddaughter

Lucy R. Kennedy, Great Granddaughter

Preceded in death by:

Carl C. and Helen I. [Petit] Himebaugh, Parents

Ann G. Rose, Infant Granddaughter

Ralph G. Himebaugh, Brother

Visitation will be from 4-6 PM EDT Thursday, August 25, 2022 at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Additional Visitation will be from 10-11 AM Friday, August 26, 2022 at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM EDT Friday, August 26, 2022 at Frain Mortuary in Winamac with Donnie Kohls and Pastor Jeff Herron officiating. 

Burial will take place at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac, IN.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of Pulaski County or Winamac First United Methodist Church.

Online Tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac, IN.