Norman Curtis Gardner, Jr., 80, of Granite City, IL, passed away on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at Liberty Village in Maryville, IL.

Norman was born May 15, 1938, in Nebraska City, Nebraska to Norman Curtis, Sr. and Cleo nee Long Gardner.  He married Dorothy A. Brammell on July 31, 1957, at the Church of Christ in St. Louis, MO and they shared 61 years of marriage.  Dorothy survives and resides in Granite City, IL.

Also surviving are his children, Barry L. Gardner, M.D., Lt. Col.,  Ret., USAF and wife, Melanie, of Colorado Springs, CO, Scott C. Gardner and wife, Cheryl, of Collinsville IL, Michael Gardner and wife, Kim, of High Ridge, MO, Nancy S. Hussey and husband, Rock, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Randy C. Gardner of Granite City, IL; 14 grandchildren:  Benjamin Gardner, Jonathan Gardner, Julia Prismon, Noelle Schreiber, Nathan Gardner, Amanda Gardner, SaVannah Hussey, Sierra Hussey, Dillon Hussey, Rhett Hussey, Rachel Hussey, Gigi Gardner, Kendra Gardner, and Randy  Gardner; and 5 great-grandchildren:  Paulie Schreiber, Ava Schreiber, Leo Gardner, Vincent Gardner and Jane Gardner; siblings, Norma L. nee Gardner Campbell of Iberia, MO, Mary Jane nee Gardner Shelton of Belleville, IL, and Donna R. nee Gardner Morris of Lake of the Ozarks, MO.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Robart "Bart" Norman Gardner; and siblings, Eloise E. nee Gardner Tegel, Billy L. Gardner, Charles E. Gardner and Nina M. nee Gardner Shelton.

Norman worked as a production manager with Kienstra Concrete, Inc. in Wood River, IL.  He enjoyed boating and fishing at Carlyle Lake and Coffeen Lake.  He was a talented basketball player during his high school years.  He was an avid sports fan and loved watching the St. Louis Cardinals and various football and basketball teams.  Norman and Dorothy enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with their children and grandchildren.  Norman wanted to widen the horizons of his children and grandchildren through their travels.  Norman was a faithful member of Bethel Chapel in Granite City, IL.

After the death of their son, Robart, Norman and Dorothy were honored and blessed to continue raising his daughter, Amanda.  Norman had a heart of gold and was always the first to help someone in need.  He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation for Norman will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and funeral service at 12:00 p.m. at Sunset Hill Funeral Home, 50 Fountain Drive,  Glen Carbon, IL, 62034.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.  Additional condolence may be sent to the family at www.herrfuneral.com .