Mary Ellen Gardner
September 16th, 1930 - May 20th, 2025
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Mary Ellen's Obituary
Mary Ellen Gardner, of Decatur, went home to the Lord on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the age of 94, surrounded by her family.
The family will receive guests from 1pm until time of celebration of life service at 3pm, Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur with Pastor Douglas Dunn of Faith Fellowship Church in Coloma officiating. Burial immediately following at Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur.
Mary Ellen was born September 16, 1930 in Lawrence, MI to James and Viola (Goens) Slocum. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1948 and is believed to be the last surviving member of her class. In 1949, she moved to Decatur – making it her home for the last, nearly, seventy years. Thereafter, Mary Ellen was employed with Decatur Public Schools for over thirty years as a bus driver until her retirement in 1992. Running into, and reminiscing with, her old students from Decatur was something she took great pleasure in.
Mary Ellen was an accomplished cook and could figure out almost any household issue that needed to be tended to. Above all, she was a loving and caring mother to her entire family. When tragedy or issues arose, Mary Ellen was her family’s source for support and guidance – her strong faith and relationship with Jesus Christ being her guiding light.
Since childhood, Mary Ellen had been a member of First Church of God in Decatur. She served many years as Superintendent and choir director. To say that gospel music was her passion would be an understatement. She traveled to many different venues and recorded several albums as the lead vocalist for the Gardner Quartet until the death of her husband and co-founder of the group, George Gardner in 1992. At her 80th surprise birthday, with over 100 guests in attendance, she wowed the crowd to a standing ovation with many impromptu gospel songs – accompanied by her long-time friend and pianist, Doug Dunn. Even in her last days, Mary Ellen could be heard belting out a song with her children.
Although her family was blessed to have her with them much longer than most can hope, she, and her beautiful smile, will be sadly missed by her children, Lois Price, and Ivan (Gayle) Brown; her grandson, Corey (Theresa) Price; her great grandchildren, Corey Price, Jr., and Macie Price; her special niece and nephew, Ronda (Randy) Coffinger, and Gerald Slaughter; and other nieces, nephews, and extended family.
She is preceded in death by two spouses, Everett Ivan Brown, and George R. Gardner; her brother, Glen Slocum; and her parents.
The family will receive guests from 1pm until time of celebration of life service at 3pm, Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur with Pastor Douglas Dunn of Faith Fellowship Church in Coloma officiating. Burial immediately following at Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur.
Mary Ellen was born September 16, 1930 in Lawrence, MI to James and Viola (Goens) Slocum. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1948 and is believed to be the last surviving member of her class. In 1949, she moved to Decatur – making it her home for the last, nearly, seventy years. Thereafter, Mary Ellen was employed with Decatur Public Schools for over thirty years as a bus driver until her retirement in 1992. Running into, and reminiscing with, her old students from Decatur was something she took great pleasure in.
Mary Ellen was an accomplished cook and could figure out almost any household issue that needed to be tended to. Above all, she was a loving and caring mother to her entire family. When tragedy or issues arose, Mary Ellen was her family’s source for support and guidance – her strong faith and relationship with Jesus Christ being her guiding light.
Since childhood, Mary Ellen had been a member of First Church of God in Decatur. She served many years as Superintendent and choir director. To say that gospel music was her passion would be an understatement. She traveled to many different venues and recorded several albums as the lead vocalist for the Gardner Quartet until the death of her husband and co-founder of the group, George Gardner in 1992. At her 80th surprise birthday, with over 100 guests in attendance, she wowed the crowd to a standing ovation with many impromptu gospel songs – accompanied by her long-time friend and pianist, Doug Dunn. Even in her last days, Mary Ellen could be heard belting out a song with her children.
Although her family was blessed to have her with them much longer than most can hope, she, and her beautiful smile, will be sadly missed by her children, Lois Price, and Ivan (Gayle) Brown; her grandson, Corey (Theresa) Price; her great grandchildren, Corey Price, Jr., and Macie Price; her special niece and nephew, Ronda (Randy) Coffinger, and Gerald Slaughter; and other nieces, nephews, and extended family.
She is preceded in death by two spouses, Everett Ivan Brown, and George R. Gardner; her brother, Glen Slocum; and her parents.
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