Donald Gard

DEXTER, Mo. -- Donald Edward Gard, son of the late Arthur Vernon Gard and Gladys Steward Gard was born on May 12, 1943, in Pontiac, Mich., and departed this life on Jan. 24, 2018, at the age of 74.

Mr. Gard was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Dexter, the Vice President of Plant Operations for Health Systems Inc. and a longtime resident of rural Dexter.

Don was a generous giver with a compassionate heart and loved people. He enjoyed talking with folks and had a gift for telling stories and anecdote's in a skillful and amusing way. He had a passion for the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and wood carving. As a local "history buff," he was a popular speaker at historical society meetings in Southeast Missouri. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and business associate to so many and will be greatly missed.

He was united in marriage to Barbara June Atherton on May 1, 1964, and to this union, two sons were born. She preceded him in death on July 28, 2012. He was then married to Patti Miller on March 1, 2013, in Dexter, and she survives at their home.

Besides his wife, survivors include: two sons and their spouses, Steven and Kristin Gard of Naperville, Ill., and Darrin and Crystal Gard of Headland, Ala.; one stepdaughter and her spouse, Natalie and Richard Osborne of Grapevine, Texas; four grandchildren, Nathaniel Gard, Chelsea Gard, Abigail Grace Gard and Hayden Andrew Gard; two stepgrandchildren, Keylan Osborne (Sydney) and Dayton Osborne: two brothers, Bill Gard of Pontiac and Dave Gard of Bloomfield; two sisters, Pam Millsaps of Niota, Tenn., and Jane Peacock of Scott City.

Visitation will be held in the First United Methodist Church in Dexter from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Funeral Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, in the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ron Beaton officiating.

Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home of Dexter in charge of arrangements.

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Memorial contributions may be made to: American Lung Association of Missouri, 1118 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63139-3196 or First United Methodist Church of Dexter, 501 S. Walnut St., Dexter, MO 63841.

Paid obituary