Memorial
Charles (Chuck) W. Gardner, 95, of Cedar Rapids passed away peacefully on September 15, 2026, at The Woodlands of The Meth-Wick Community. A visitation will be held at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 10 AM until service time at 11 AM. Entombment will follow at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Chuck was born on March 11, 1931, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Henry Clay and Mary (Hawes) Gardner. He was raised in Peoria and Davenport. Chuck is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and a Master’s Degree in Management. Chuck was united in marriage to Mary Ward on June 17, 1956, in Vinton, IA. Mary and Chuck were happily married for 48 years until Mary’s passing in 2004.
Chuck and Mary met working at Armstrong’s Department Store in downtown Cedar Rapids. Chuck remained with Armstrong’s for 35 years, retiring in 1990 as vice president of operations.
Chuck was active in the Cedar Rapids community, where he was honored to serve on the board of many organizations, often in leadership roles, including Meth-Wick, Witwer Senior Center, Kingston Hill, and Aging Services. Chuck was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church where he served on various committees and as a Trustee including two terms as a Trustee for the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was also a Trustee for the Esther and Robert Armstrong Charitable Trust. He was a member of Optimist and the National Office Managers Association. Chuck was a diehard Illinois Illini fan and a proud season ticket holder for Illini football games. He enjoyed fishing, traveling and playing bridge.
Survivors include his two daughters, Anne Jones (Terry) of Cedar Rapids, Ginny Kremer of St. Paul MN; four grandchildren, Jillian Swain (Casey), Catherine Jones, Nathan Kremer (Jessica) and Hannah Kremer (Otto); and eight great grandchildren.
Preceding him in death was his wife, Mary, his parents; his in-laws, Louise and Russell Ward.
The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the many caregivers and staff with Meth-Wick and Suncrest Hospice for the excellent care received by Chuck.
Memorial donations may be given to Camp Courageous, Matthew 25, University of Illinois Foundation, or The Meth-Wick Community.