Mildred V. Gardner

Mildred V. Gardner, 82, of Newcomerstown, passed away on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at Affinity Medical Center in Massillon after a recent surgery. Born June 23, 1931 in Gilmore, she was the daughter of the late Ernest Peeper, Sr. and Louisa Mae (Dearth) Peeper Miller.

On August 25, 1951, Mildred married Leroy Dickinson with whom she enjoyed 35 years of marriage until his passing on December 23, 1986. They are survived by 4 children, Carol (Bill) Estell of Columbus, Laura (John) Casteel of New Philadelphia, Mary (Dan) Dunfee of Dennison and Fred Dickinson of Newcomerstown; daughter-in-law, Joan Dickinson of Canton; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Mildred is also survived by her husband, Kenneth Gardner, whom she married on July 6, 1991; a brother, Jack (Eva) Peeper of Gnadenhutten; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Donald and Donna Gardner, Dorothy Gardner, Faye and William Tharp, Harvey Gardner, and Richard and Sandra Gardner; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, David Dickinson; brothers, Sherel, Junior and George Peeper; and brothers-in-law, John, Clifford and Glen Gardner.

A loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker, Mildred was deeply devoted to her family and delighted in the time that she spent with them. She will be remembered by many for the years that she spent running the store in Gilmore and as the eldest member of West Union United Methodist Church in Gilmore. She was also a member of the West Chester Senior Center.

Services, officiated by Pastor Beth Mansperger, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24, in West Union United Methodist Church with interment following in the adjoining cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison. Memorial contributions may be made to West Union United Methodist Church.