March 5, 1960 – September 12, 2021
Bradley Charles Gardner of Chicago Heights, Ill., 61, was a member of the Chicago Heights Carpenters Local 272 for many years. He loved setting up for the tradeshows at McCormick Place and the E3 tradeshow in LA. His co-worker Eugene Tedeschi shared, “Today we lost Brad Gardner. Chicago carpenter who was in business about 20 years—worked with RMI and 3D—one of the hardest working guys I ever had the pleasure to work with. Some guys in L.A. might know Brad from E3. Brad suffered a debilitating stroke last year in March and his family had to make the difficult choice last week. He succumbed early this morning.”
Other colleagues leaving their condolences included Scott Macdonald (“You will be missed buddy”), Darrell Nichols (“RIP brother”), Maggie Mcgrath, Mike Stakas, Melanie Seghers, Michael Blackler, Karen KT Taylor, Mike Stempa, Dave Beemsterboer, John Kuznarik, Sandi Hauger, Charles Nelson, Mike Costello, Rick Neff, Jeannie Curran, Jeff Magney, Sharon Bonfiglio, Wendy Gardner, Anthony Weeks, Richard Perry, Eddie Scott, Mark Stuart, Michael Anthony Moore, Joey Esposito, Cleather Roberson, Frank Potter and Jim Schwichtenberg. His brother, Perry Gardner, shared, “My brother stood tall and strong like the mighty oak! It took a lot to bring him down! Fear not for him he has been taken to a far better place where once again he will stand tall and strong!! He will be missed and always loved.”
He was born in Ridgway (Elk County), Penn., his family moved to Lansing in October of 1962. He was the beloved father of two children, John (Amy) Gardner and Lela Gardner, beloved grandfather of three grandchildren, Lillian, Andrew and Riley; the beloved brother of 11 siblings; Keith (late Wanda) Gardner; Vance (Yvonne) Gardner; Barbara Burgess; Brenda (Harry) Dohman; Perry Gardner; George (Wanda) Gardner; Marie (Bill) Wasyliw; Nancy (Dan) Brunetti; Annette (Jeff) Ayers; and Ami (Brian) Wilhite and loving uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Keith Elvyn (Susan) Gardner Sr; Shirley “Elaine” Marie Straessley Gardner (Earl) Smith; and brother Mark Gardner.
Services were held Sept. 20 in Lansing, Ill. To send condolences or to share a memory, visit www.schroederlauer.com/obituary/bradley-gardner.
This story originally appeared in the Nov./Dec. 2021 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 58. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/ecn_nov-dec_2021
