Betty Jean Gardner

Betty Gardner, 86, of Benton Harbor, passed away on Monday, February 18, 2019, at Hanson Hospice Center, St. Joseph. A celebration of life will be held at a later date with interment at North Shore Memory Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Caring Circle Hospice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, St. Joseph, MI. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Betty was born on July 27, 1932, to Calvin and Esther (Cooper) Hanks in Ripley, TN. On May 15, 1948, she married Hilliard H. “Hoot” Gardner in Corinth, MS. She worked for VM Corporation and twenty-five years at LECO Corporation where she retired. Betty enjoyed cooking, fishing, quilting, crocheting & knitting. Most of all, she cherished her family, especially her grandchildren. Betty is survived by her daughters, Carol (Michael) Weller and Kathy Gardner Burch, both of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Tyanna Weller, Lindsay Burch and Nicholas (Dawn) Burch; great-grandchildren, Skylar Nalepa, Cassandra Nalepa, Taylor Cheh, Charleigh Poss and Josie Burch. She was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin and Esther Hanks, husband of 62 years, Hilliard “Hoot” Gardner and siblings, Bernice, Lorriane, J.C., Imogene, Fred and Bobby.