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Guy E. Gardner, Jr. “Gramps”, 85, of South Bend, Indiana went to Heaven on Sunday, March 29, 2026. He was born on January 1, 1941 in Claremore, Oklahoma to the late Guy and Bertha (Cooper) Gardner, Sr. On September 16, 1960 he married Arlene Scott who preceded him in death on October 1, 2008. Guy was also preceded in death by his son, Scott Gardner, son-in-law, Larry Vaughn, siblings, Marjorie Stamper, Robert Gardner and Marvin Gardner, granddaughter-in-law, Lois Chapo and his “Brownie” dog. Guy is survived by his daughter, Penny Vaughn-Chapo (Ken) of South Bend, Indiana, grandchildren; Justin Vaughn (Sarah), Kaylee Smith (Jeremy), Kelleigh Packingham (Justin), Bryar Gardner (Maddy), Joshua Chapo (Tia), Zachary Chapo and Stephen Chapo (Alicia), great grandchildren; Kensley Smith, Hunter Smith, Reese Smith, Brooks Vaughn, Brody Vaughn, Noah Packingham, Leighton Packingham, Crew Packingham, Aubrey Chapo, Sean Chapo, Olivia Chapo and Braiden Chapo and one daughter-in-law, Karen Gardner.
Gramps loved his family more than anything. One of his favorite things was making a huge pot of soup to share with us. He enjoyed spending the day on the water and bringing home a mess of fish, hunting, woodworking & most of all... Helping any of us!
A visitation for Guy will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr. South Bend, IN from 11:00 am EST until 1:00 pm EST. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 1:00 pm EST. Burial will follow in Hamilton Cemetery, New Carlisle, Indiana.
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