Donald Dwain Gardner, 88, of Montgomery City, MO, died on Monday, January 15, 2018 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico, MO.

Donald Dwain Gardner was born December 21, 1929 in McFall, MO, to Lester Gardner and Agnes Hulett. He graduated from McFall High School, attended NW MO State University of Maryville and received his degree in education and later received his Masters Degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. Don was a Veteran of the United States Army serving in Korea, receiving two Bronze Service Stars and the United Nations Service Medal. He married Eileen May Royston on January 20, 1951 and to this union they had four children. She preceded him in death on September 29, 1995. Later he married Ada Margaret "Peggy" Cobb Hendricks on April 12, 1997. Don worked in education until he retired and then he was an Auctioneer, worked at Montgomery True Value, and started the Treehouse and Barn Coffee Group. Don was a member of the First United Methodist-Presbyterian Church; the Montgomery City Kiwanis Club; Retired Teacher's Association, and enjoyed woodworking, auctioneering, gardening, restoring old cars, fishing, hunting, traveling, golf and sold bird dogs. He never met a stranger and enjoyed visiting with all his family and friends.

Mr. Gardener is survived by his wife, Ada Margaret "Peggy" Gardner of Montgomery City, MO; four children: Ann (Paul); Mark; Dwain (Mary); and Lynn (Dennis); his grandchildren: Angie, Paul (Amy), Nancy (Jeff), Phil (Selene), Rachel, Matt (Michelle), Pat, Rica, Nico, Will, Lee, Andrew, Kelsey (Andrew); his great-grandchildren: Brady, Jack, Chase, Henry, Emma, Julia, Abigail. Also surviving are his two sisters: Phyllis Robertson and Peggy Sperry; sister-in-law, Barbara Royston. He is also survived by Peggy's children: Debbie, Donna, Cathy (Steve), Joe (Cindy), and Lori; her grandchildren: Shannon (Cherie), Caleb (Lynda), Bo (Amy), Bryce (Jamie), Cassie (Josh), Connor, Grant, Kali (James), Taylor (Ryan); her great-grandchildren: Drake, Cade, Aubrey, Aundrea, Brooke, Avery, Brady, Charlee, Paige, Hannah, Iza, and Finn.

Mr. Gardner was preceded in death by his mother and father, Lester and Agnes Gardner; his first wife, Eileen Gardner; and three brothers-in-law, Donald Royston, Donnie Robertson, and Carlin Sperry.

Funeral services were held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the First United Methodist-Presbyterian Church in Montgomery City, MO. The Reverend Ed Hankinson officiated and interment with full military honors was in the Montgomery City Cemetery in Montgomery City, MO. Visitation was held from 9:00 AM until the time of service on Saturday at the church.

Memorial Contributions are suggested to the Mexico Missouri Veterans Home, Montgomery Co. Senior Center, the First United Methodist-Presbyterian Church, or to the Montgomery VFW, c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, MO   63361.