Caroline "Sue" Gardner, 85, of Pierceton, died peacefully in the company of family at 1:43 p.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, where she had been a patient for the past four days.

Born on August 12, 1939, in Crawfordsville, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Burchard C. and Dorothy (Conkright) Zachary.  Growing up in Crawfordsville, she graduated from Crawfordsville High School in 1957.

After graduating, she moved to Huntington and in 1959, to Big Lake, Noble County.  In 1975, she married Robert E. Gardner.  The couple made their home in Union Twp., Whitley County, raising a family.  Later, they moved to Washington Twp., and in 1988, to Pierceton.  Robert died on September 9, 2000.

She worked for G&S - United Oil, Pierceton, from 1989 to 2020.  In 2021, she went to work for Sugar Creek Meat and Treats in South Whitley, putting her cooking skills to good use and keeping her busy until age 82, when she retired.

Fond of cardinals, Sue enjoyed watching them at the feeder, collecting ceramic figurines, and selecting greeting cards with their likeness.  She had many cats through the years, Friday being one of her favorites.  She enjoyed having many grandkids, and when her great-granddaughter came along, she became especially attached.

Surviving are her sons, James (Tina) Davenport of Monument, OR, Denny (Patricia) Davenport of Oklahoma City, OK, Scott (Pam) Gardner of Cookeville, TN, Terry (Felisity) Gardner of South Whitley; a step-son, David (Cathy) Gardner of Columbia City; a step-daughter, Diane (Denny) Sheets of Columbia City; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Penny J. Middleton of Lafayette.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Kelly Rose Hochstetler; brothers, Clayborn, Richard, and Donald Zachary; sisters, Nijol Zachary, Meredith Gray, and Connie Rogers; a grandson; and a daughter-in-law, Faith Davenport.

Caroline desired to have no services.  She will be interred by her husband, Robert, at Covington Memorial Gardens, Fort Wayne at a later date.  Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley.

Memorials in Sue's honor are to the Humane Society of Whitley County.