Darlene Joan Gardner

Darlene Joan Gardner, age 92, of Lamar, MO, died Monday, May 11, 2015 at Mercy Hospital, Joplin.  Darlene was born April 22, 1923 at Milford, Missouri to Luther Alexander Runion and Leonora Fannie (Onwiler) Runion.  She attended school at Milford.  On March 23, 1981 she married Bill Gardner and he preceded her in death March 11, 2011.     Darlene had worked for Barton County Memorial Hospital as a nursing assistant.  She was a member of Eastern Star and the VFW Lady’s Auxiliary.     Survivors include one son, Howard (Myra) Dockery of Richardson, TX; three daughters, Darla (Dean) Grant of Lamar, MO, Brenda (Harold) Sprenkle of Jasper, MO, and Opal Dockery of Milford, MO; grandchildren, Jack Truman of Milford, MO, Melisa Irlandi of Port Charlotte, FL, Kathy (Hans) Vos of Rotterdam, Netherlands, Shannon (Grant) Hill of Edmond, OK, Skipper (Tomesha) Montgomery of Cullman, AL, Kevin (Leslie) Dockery, of Wylie, TX, Mary Dockery of Nashville, TN, Lori (Scott) Dockery, of Iowa City, IA and Mandy (Eddie) Browning of Lamar, MO; twelve great-grandchildren and one brother, Earl (Betty) Runion of Bethany, OK.     In addition to her husband, Darlene was preceded in death by three brothers, Luther Runion Jr., Paul Runion, and Gerald “Bud” Runion; and two sisters, Virginia Medlin and Margaret Costley.     Funeral service will be 10:00 am Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Daniel Funeral Home with burial to follow at Howell Cemetery, Milford, MO.      There will be Eastern Star Rites at 6:00 pm Friday at Daniel Funeral Home followed by visitation.     Contributions are suggested to Shriners Hospital for Children or VFW Post #3691 in care of Daniel Funeral Home.