Rochelle

Jackie "Jack" B. Gardner, 75, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2014 in Rockford, Illinois. Jack was born May 16, 1939 in Ecru, Mississippi to Homer and Mable (Todd) Gardner. He married Sharon Brown on November 14, 1959 in Aurora, Illinois. In 1976, Jack started the family business, Gardner Products Inc., out of his basement, working nights after his full time job. He helped develop the McDonald's drive thru system. Eventually, he moved the business to Rochelle in 1995. Jack was a member of the Rochelle Golden K Kiwanis Club, Boy Scout Master in Geneva and an umpire for Batavia Youth Baseball in the early 70's. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was a father figure and role model to not only his family but many others.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, Robert and Evelyn Brown, two brothers: Murray and Chuck Gardner, brother-in-law, George, sisters-in-law: Shirley and Nancy, and grandson, Phillip Gardner.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, four children: Jack (Debbie Younglove) Gardner, Jeff Gardner, Todd (Debra) Gardner and Traci (Stephen) Siebler; three sisters: Peggy (Junior) Robbins, Brenda (Jim) Saltzgiver and Linda (Danny) Richardson; ten grandchildren: Eric Gardner, Sarah Younglove, Trinette and Arielle Gardner, Cole, Brock and Callie Gardner, Eliza Siebler, Scott Lansford and Samantha Rose and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Calvin Road, Rochelle, with Pastor Doug Forsberg and Pastor Jim Tilley presiding. The visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M., Monday, October 13 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle. Burial will be at River Hills Memorial Cemetery in Batavia, Illinois. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.