Ronald "Ron" Eugene Gardner

Ronald "Ron" Eugene Gardner, 57, of Peoria, formerly of Bloomington, went to be with our Lord at 5:10 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2018 at Sharon Healthcare Pines Nursing Home, Peoria. His youngest sister, Mary, and his childhood sweetheart, Cheryl, were at his side when he lost his unwinnable battle with lung cancer.

His funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 27, 2018 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bloomington, where visitation will be one hour prior to services. Interment will immediately follow services at Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to OSF Hospice or a charity of the donor's choice.

To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.

He was born November 20, 1960 in Bloomington, son of Richard E. and Madonna M. McGowan Gardner. He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents.

Surviving are his siblings, Marcia (Carl) Hodges of Lebanon, Elizabeth Peterson, Richard (Kathryn) Gardner, Theresa Gardner, Thomas Gardner and Mary (Ron) Akers, all of Bloomington and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ron enjoyed camping, hiking and canoeing in his youth. In later years, he enjoyed camping with his brother, Rick, and his brother-in-law, Carl. Ron enjoyed visiting his family during the holidays and attending Christmas Eve Mass with Rick. Ron was constantly drawing and writing in his journals. He was never without a spiral notebook and pen.

One of Ron's favorite phrases was "most definitely!" He will be missed. Most definitely!

The family would like to thank the staff of Sharon Healthcare Pines for their love, care, support and attention over the years. The family would also like to thank OSF Hospice for their love care and support of Ron to minimize the pain he was suffering, with little complaint, the last two months of his life.