Harry Dave Gardiner, 92

Harry Dave Gardiner, 92, was born Aug. 30, 1924, and went to be with his Lord Nov. 17, 2016. Dave, as he was called, was born in Newport, Wash., to Harry and Grace Gardiner. He lived in Newport most of his life before moving with his wife to Coeur d’Alene to be closer to two of their children.

Dave was a Seaman First Class in the Navy and served on an LST in World War II. After the war he met Louise Aber through mutual friends in Elmira, N.Y., and in a whirlwind courtship married Louise two months later. They celebrated 69 years of marriage this year.

With a wife and six children plus foster children, Dave worked hard to provide for his family. At Diamond Match Mill he was a tree cutter and “river pig,” working the logs in the river. Also in his career, he was employed as an auto repairman both at a dealership in Newport and at Sears in Spokane. Later he was a rural mail carrier, the job from which he retired. He supplemented their income at various times by working at a gas station, as a reserve police officer and as a substitute bus driver. After he retired, he enjoyed volunteering for Catholic Charities through CHORE by driving folks unable to drive themselves to appointments.

Dave, first and foremost, loved his family which grew to include 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. He attended Coeur d’Alene Assembly Church, was an avid fisherman and hunter, plus he enjoyed bowling, cards, pool and horseshoes. Rarely without a smile on his face, Dave was outgoing and well liked. He “never met a stranger.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Grace Gardiner; brother Lawrence and son-in-law Jim Hensley. Dave is survived by his beloved wife, Louise; children Bonnie (Glenn) Sentman, Peggy (Ken) Kirkman, Jon (Nancy) Gardiner, Grace (Tim) Trudnowski, Theresa (Lloyd) Kinnan and Brian (Sue) Gardiner; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, at Coeur d’Alene Assembly Church, 2200 N. Seventh St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Dave’s memory be made to Convoy of Hope in care of Coeur d’Alene Assembly Church, address above. Please view and sign Dave’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.