John N. Gardner, age 89, of Auburn Center, PA, passed away on Tuesday morning, January 22, 2019 at the Gardens of Tunkhannock.

John was born on June 26, 1929 in Rushville, PA, the son of the late John N. Gardner Sr., who passed away on September 10, 1944, and Carrie M. Green Gardner, who passed away on June 4, 1975. John graduated from Meshoppen High School with the Class of 1946. John proudly served his country during the Korean War while stationed in Kunsan, Korea in the United States Army. He was in 63 ^rd Infantry in Kunsan. On December 20, 1952, John married Ruth N. Johnson Gardner and the couple was together for 53 years until her passing on March 6, 2006.

John worked as an aircraft mechanic at the Sky Haven Airport in Tunkhannock, PA for many years. He also worked at Proctor and Gamble in the paper making department as a maintenance technician for 27 years until his retirement in 1992 at the age of 63.

John was a Past Master and current Trustee of the Factoryville Masonic Lodge #341 F&AM. He was also an instructor of the 15 ^th Masonic District of the School of Instruction. John was also President of the Factoryville Hall Association. He was a member of the Valley of Scranton, Keystone Consistory 32°, A.A.S.R. He was a member and past president of the Jersey Hill Cemetery Association. John enjoyed taking bus trips to Atlantic City, NJ. He enjoyed mowing his lawn and driving his John Deere Tractor. He was a great supporter of his children's and grandchildren's high school sports. But most of all John loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Surviving are his sons Dr. John C. Gardner and his wife Lisa of Tunkhannock, PA; Jeffery P. Gardner and his wife Brenda of Tunkhannock, PA; daughters Susan L. Polage (William Root) of South Auburn, PA; Lori A. Darling and her husband Terry of Lake Walter, PA; Stacy L. Hegedty and her husband Robert of Tunkhannock, PA; grandchildren Lindsey R. Warren (Micah); Erin M. Dawson (Peter); Sarah C. Gardner (Thomas Stelzer); Matthew Gardner; Brooke E. Darling (Dustin Ashcroft); Taylor A. Hegedty; and Logan J. Hegedty; great-grandchildren Nellie B. Warren and Aria R. Ashcroft. Also surviving is John's sister Louise Hollister of Greene, NY as well as several nieces and nephews. Besides his wife and parents, John was preceded in death by his grandson, Kyle Gardner, who passed away on September 19, 1989 and several sisters and one brother.

Funeral services for John will be held on Saturday January 26, 2019 at 11:00 AM from the Sheldon Funeral Home, 8206 SR 6, Meshoppen, PA with the Reverend Charles Bishop of the Elk Lake and Transue Community Churches officiating. Interment will follow at Jersey Hill Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening, January 25, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a Masonic Service conducted at 7:45 PM by the members of the Factoryville Lodge #341 F&AM.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in John's name to Jersey Hill Cemetery Association C/O Mrs. Elizabeth Carlin; 480 Ace Road, Meshoppen, PA 18630 or the Factoryville Masonic Lodge, C/O Jan Cechak, 32 Dogwood Drive, Tunkhannock, PA 18657.

Online condolences can be made at www.sheldonfuneralhomes.com .