Charles Nelson Gardner

Pike --- Charles “Charlie” Nelson Gardner of Pike passed away on Friday, December 8, 2023 surrounded by his loving family in Wyoming County Community Hospital, Warsaw. He was born on November 4, 1935 in Warsaw, a son of the late Charles and Bertha McCall Gardner. He married Judith Burgess who survives.

Charlie lived up to the ideal of the phrase “he was a good man” and was a man who walked the walk and was known for his high level of integrity and love for his family.

Over the course of his private and public career, there was not a harder nor more capable worker, and Charlie applied his talents in farming, milk hauling, diesel mechanics and a wide range of technical skills.  He retired from Wyoming County Highway Department in 1998.

Surviving in addition to the love of his life and wife of 68 amazing years are their children, Stephanie (Marv) Smith of Chaparral, New Mexico, Tammy (Kip) Falkner of Gainesville, Josh (Judy) Gardner of Wethersfield, Christie (Steve) Gerasimchik of Deland, Florida and Valerie Gardner of Penn Yan; his siblings: Donna Klump, Betty Jennings, Shirley Truax, Richard Gardner, Joan Copeland, Clayton Gardner, George Gardner, and Gary Gardner.  Charlie is also survived by 11 grandchildren and many great grandchildren who lovingly knew him as Grampa Dear.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by daughter Darcie Jo Gardner, and siblings, Robert Evans, Hubert Gardner, and Katherine Swartz.

A Fireman’s Service, officiated by the Pike Fire Department, will take place at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N Genesee Street, Fillmore where family and friends may gather from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm the same night and from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 am. Bernadette Barnes, a close friend of the family, will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Gainesville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Pike Rescue Squad, PO Box 58, Pike, NY 14130, an organization in which Charlie served.