Oral E. Gardner, 95, of Belleville, IL, formerly of Champaign, died on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Dammert Center at The Esquiline in Belleville, IL.  Private graveside services were held on Saturday, Nov. 21st at Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo, IL.   Rev. Christopher Ritter officiated and Military Rites were accorded by Geneseo VFW Post 5083.  Memorials may be made to Charity of Donor’s Choice.

Oral Eugene Gardner was born February 3, 1925 in Akron, Colorado the son of Hubert and Jewel (Mc Hargue) Gardner.  He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during WW II.  After his time in the service he graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign.  On July 30, 1950, he was united in marriage to Virginia Torreyson in Geneseo, Illinois.  She died on July 20, 2020.

Oral called Champaign his home for over 50 years where he worked at the University of Illinois as an Engineering Technician in the Coordinated Science Lab.   Oral was a Ham Radio Operator for many years.

Survivors include a daughter, Linda (James) Kirn, Roselle, IL; three sons, Steven Gardner, and Gary (Cathy) Gardner, both of Belleville; and Kent (Ruby) Gardner, Denver, CO; and four grandchildren, John Kirn, Mathew Kirn, Jennie Gardner, and Conor Gardner and a sister Marie Sloan, Kearney, MO.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a brother, Earl Gardner and a sister Ruth Haggard.