John R. Gardner

The family relocated to Pennsylvania following the war and settled in the Altoona area. John was a graduate of Altoona High School. He also attended the Pennsylvania State University.

John enlisted in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. After his National Guard training, he accepted a position with Bell Telephone as a switch operator. During his working career with Bell Telephone (now Verizon), he was stationed at their Philadelphia, Altoona and Huntingdon offices. He retired from the company after 30 years of service.

John was married on Oct. 22, 1966, in Winchester, Va., to the former Shirley Ann Uliano. She preceded him in death on June 24, 2016.

He is survived by two sons, Scott A. Gardner (Starina) of Alexandria and John D. “J.D.” Gardner (Jill) of Altoona; grandchildren: Bethany Gardner (fiance, James Miller), Trevor Gardner, Brittany Gardner and Devon Gardner (fiancee, Chelsey Diehl); great-grandchildren: Riley and Carson Gardner, Camden and Elijah Miller and Maverick Gardner; a sister, Pam Robinson, of Duncansville; his loving companion, Roberta L. (Matson) Burns, who survives at home; and numerous other extended family members.

John was a member of gFree Church, (Gearhartville) rural Philipsburg.

John was an old fashioned/old school outdoorsman. He was the kind of man who would rather keep time with a pocket watch than a fancy wristwatch. Also, he wasn’t much for keeping his money in a wallet; always kept his bills in a money clip. He was a man that talked in plain English. He would often be put off by other outdoorsmen that were too “high-brow” and/or liked to use fancy “50 cent” words; especially when it came to fly fishing.

Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed shooting trap at the area sporting clubs and shooting sports facilities. He was a member of several area clubs that included the Alexandria Sportmans Club, Tyrone Sportmen’s Club and a Life Member of the Shenecoy Sportsmen Club. He was also a member of the NRA and Trout Unlimited. John enjoyed shooting his muzzleloaders and black cartridge rifles at the ranges in the regional area. However, his greatest passion was for fly fishing. He was an accomplished fly fisherman and would often be seen on his favorite waterway, the “Little Juniata.” He was also accomplished at tying his own flies. John taught numerous fly fishing/tying seminars through the years and was even invited to speak at a seminar at the Chautauqua Institute in New York.

Friends will be received from 2 until the 3 p.m. memorial service Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, at gFree Church, 305 Keystone Hill Road, Philipsburg, with Pastor Noel Meyers officiating.

Arrangements are by Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Philipsburg.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at beezerheathfh.com.