Mae Gardner

Frances Mae Gardner, 99, of Gibson City peacefully passed away at 2:30 am Monday March 13, 2023 at the Piper City Rehab and Healthcare Center. A rosary will be recited at 4:30 pm Tuesday April 4, 2023 at Rosenbaum Funeral Home in Gibson City followed by visitation until 7:00 pm. A funeral mass will be said at 11:00 am Wednesday April 5, 2023 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Burial will be at Drummer Township Cemetery in Gibson City. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

Mae was born January 22, 1924 in Colfax, Illinois. A daughter of Elmo F. and Lillian M. (Leonard) Johnson. She married Martin E. “Gene” Gardner on October 16, 1946 in Gibson City. He passed away May 26, 2008.

She is survived by her children Linda Case of Dawson Springs, Kentucky; Timothy Pam) Gardner of Gibson City; Gregg (Peg) Gardner of Danvers; Patrick Gardner of Schyler, Nebraska, and Sean (Sherry) Gardner of Gibson City. Fifteen grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren and fourteen great great grandchildren. Also, two sisters Ellen Ann Nance of Washington, IL and Shirley (Jim) McGimpsie of Arkansas and sister-in-law Kay Johnson of Washington, IL. She was preceded in death by three sons, an infant, Geary and Mike, grandson Martin, two brothers Irvin and Leon and sister Lucille Morgan.

Mae was a dedicated member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. She was very active member of the Altar and Rosary Society and Council of Catholic Woman. She was named Joliet Diocese Catholic Woman of the year. Mae worked at Stokely Van Camps, Jake & Kate’s and Lastly at McDonald’s all in Gibson City.