The Rev. James E. Gardner, 88, former rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Livingston, died Thursday, May 7, at his home in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. After a seven year fight, he succumbed to Lewy Body Dementia with Parkinson’s. He was 88 years old.
Rev. Gardner was born July 9, 1931, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He married the former Patricia Ruth Treasure, who predeceased him after 65 years of marriage.
He was a Gold Star graduate of Valley Forge Military School; Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering; Philadelphia Divinity School; and General Theological Seminary, where he earned a master’s degree in theology and religion.
Rev. Gardner worked for Atlantic Refinery in Philadelphia as a chemical engineer. He worked in parishes around Philadelphia before moving to Lewisburg in 1968 to accept the position of associate religion professor at Bucknell University. He then served as the second chaplain at Rooke Chapel, working there for 25 years. He also continued to teach at Bucknell.
After retiring, Rev. Gardner became the rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for five years.
Later, he was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Lewisburg, where he was substitute priest and taught adult forum classes. He volunteered at a local hospice, read to Lewisburg elementary students, and visited federal and state inmates.
Surviving are two daughters and one son-in-law, Ruth and Keith Flickinger, and Paula Gardner; one sister, Jane Bender; and four grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, John Gardner.
There will be a private interment held in the St. Francis Memorial Garden, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. A celebration of life will be held at a later date and will be open to the public.
The family will provide the flowers and has suggested contributions in James’ memory be made to The Lewy Body Dementia Association and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
The family is being assisted by Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, Lewisburg.
In 1921 the only street light at Northfield Center was an oil lamp on a pole which was voluntarily maintained by Livingston’s tax collector, August W. Fund.
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