Ella Lorene Gardner, 97 of Ashland died Wednesday December 27, 2017 at Brookwood Place in

Ashland.  She was born January 31, 1920 in Jackson Twp. the oldest of six children to Kent E. and

Lela Grace (Smith) Welch.  She was a former member of the First Christian Church in Polk, former

member of Rowsburg Lutheran Church and current member of the First Christian Church of Ashland.

She was a graduate of Polk High School class of 1938, and also graduated from Oberlin Business

College.

She was a former employee of Farmers Bank, Deputy of Ashland Co. Auditors office, Perry Twp. Clerk

and retired as Deputy of Ashland Co. Treasurers Office in 1987.

She volunteered to assist others and was a member of several local clubs and enjoyed attending the

sports activities of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She married William E. Gardner, May 18, 1946 and celebrated 65 years of marriage before his passing

November 8, 2011.

She is survived by 2 sons, William K. (Linda) Gardner of Ashland, Charles (Rebecca) Gardner of

Hayesville and a daughter,  Judy (J. William) Ichord of Vienna, Va, 6 grandchildren, Jennifer (Mitchell)

Hastings, Andrew (Amy) Gardner, Hope (Chance) Van Gundy, Faith (Herman) Huffman, Heather

Ichord and Brian Ichord, 12 great grandchildren, Ryann, Lauren, Rachel, and Alexis Hastings; Lincoln,

Griffin, Bowen and Riggens Gardner; Blaze and Breeze Van Gundy; Saylor Lewis and Grayson

Huffman, numerous nieces and nephews, a brother, Dean (Doris) Welch of Polk, a sister-in-law, Esther

Welch of Polk and a brother-in-law, Dale Gardner of Ashland.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Grace Gardner, Mary

Louise Smith, and Ercel Swindaman, and a brother, Eugene Welch.

Services will be 12:00 Noon Tuesday January 2, 2018 at First Christian Church of Ashland with Pastor

Rich Pate officiating.  Burial will be in Rowsburg Cemetery.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Ashland 1425 King Rd. Ashland,

OH 44805.

Fickes Funeral Home in Jeromesville assisted the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.fickesfuneralhome.com.