LITTLETON — Mr. Harold B. “Hal” Gardner, 77, of 478 Ridge Road, Littleton, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at Duke University Medical Center.

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Mr. Gardner was born Dec. 21,1931, in Lock Haven, Pa., the son of the late Shirley and Haywood Gardner, and was raised in Sugar Run, Pa. He graduated from Lock Haven High School in 1948, worked for the A&P Store in Lock Haven and later graduated from Lycoming College. Prior to college, he served in the United States Army, stationed in Alaska. He was employed by the U.S. Government, working for the accounting office, the U.S. Weather Bureau and the Navy Department in Arlington, Va.

While living in Sterling, Va., he was president of many organizations, including the Jaycees (lifetime member), Ruritan Club and Sterling PTA. He was a member of the Loudon County School board. Wherever he lived he was always active in the community.

Mr. Gardner was retired but was an active member of Lakeside Lutheran Church, the Hillbilly Hunt Club, Lake Gaston Lions Club and the Lake Gaston Stripers Club.

Mr. Gardner is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Beth” Gardner of Littleton; nine children, Roxanne Truax (Sam), Denise Dunn (Dwight), Jennifer Watson (Dana), Tina McCort (Dan), Harold T. Gardner (Kim), Lisa Brewer (Jim), Brian Lackey (Emily), Kent Lackey (Lauren) and Sharon Lackey; three brothers, Jim Gardner (Maxine), Bill Gardner (Grace) and Steve Gardner (Dorrie); 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 14, at Lakeside Lutheran Church in Littleton, with Pastor Fred Eichner officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the International Myeloma Foundation, 1265 Riverside Dr., Suite 206, N. Hollywood CA 91607 or the Lakeside Lutheran Church, in the name of Hal Gardner, 2427 Eaton Ferry Road, Littleton NC 27850.

Wrenn, Clarke & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service in Roanoke Rapids is handling the arrangements.