Charles A. "Chuck" Gardner

Charles A. “Chuck” Gardner, age 75, of Battle Creek went to be with our Lord on Friday, July 14, 2023.  He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on January 10, 1948, the son of Elmer and Pansy (Gilger) Gardner and graduated from Bellevue High School with the Class of 1966. 

Chuck served in the United States Army from August 1966 to August 1969.  He was stationed at Fort Knox, Fort Campbell, Fort McClellan, and the DMZ in South Korea.  Chuck earned his Associate's Degree in Police Administration at Kellogg Community College and attended Western Michigan University. Chuck coached his sons in the Battle Creek Parks and Recreation summer baseball league, as well as JV baseball at St. Philip Catholic Central High School. He worked for 18 years at Michigan Carton Co./St. Regis as a cutter man, and later a coater man and a boiler operator in the power house.  In 1984, Chuck went to Ralston’s/Conagra as a stationary engineer for 31 ½ years until his retirement on August 1, 2015.

Chuck enjoyed fishing, boating, jet skiing, and traveling with his wife, Kris in their motorhome around the country.  But most of all, he loved spending time and making omelets over the campfire with his two wonderful grandsons, Cooper and Carson.     

On November 28, 1970, Chuck married the “Love of His Life”, Kristine D. “Kris” Bentley.  They have lived at St. Mary’s Lake for more than 48 years and enjoyed raising their two sons there. Chuck is survived by his wife of nearly 53 years, Kristine; his sons, Trenten (Staci) and Douglas (Becky) Gardner; his grandsons, Cooper and Carson Gardner; sister, Judy (Vito) Ragusa; brothers, Brad (Emma), Ricky (Debbie) Gardner; and many cousins, nieces & nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a nephew, Roger Alan Love; a great-nephew, Bryce Alan Balfour; and his best friend, George “Butch” Whitcomb. 

The family will receive friends 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek.  A memorial service to celebrate Chuck’s life will be held 11:30 a.m., Thursday, July 27, 2023, at the North Avenue Church of God, 1079 North Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49017.  The service will be Live-streamed and may be viewed on the North Avenue Church of God Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/northavenuechurch) Interment with full military honors will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to the North Avenue Church of God Youth Group.  Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Chuck may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.