Mr. Charles Loren Gardner

NORWAY - Charles Loren Gardner, 90, of Norway died Monday, May 5, 2008 at the Maine Veterans Home in South Paris.
     He was born in South Waterford on August 3, 1917, the son of Horace Merle Gardner and Mary Hamlin Gardner. He attended Waterford schools and graduated from Bridgton Academy in 1935. He served in the U. S. Army, 38th Squadron during World War II from 1942 to 1945, where he was an airplane mechanic, stationed first at Naples and Rome and then stateside at Keesler Field, MS.
     Following the service he was employed at Paris Manufacturing. He went on to work at Norway High School in 1948 and later at Guy E. Rowe School as a custodian; he also served as a crossing guard. He worked for the school department for over 30 years. He loved the little kids; they called him "Grampa."
     He married Alma Dunn on October 24, 1947; she passed away on September 6, 2000. He enjoyed reading and working in his gardens, his rhubarb patch and high bush blueberries. He belonged to the Norway Grange. He and his wife raised foster children for many years.
     Mr. Gardner is survived by his daughters, Ella Whitman and husband William of Norway and Mary "Patty" Smith of Jacksonville, FL; six grandchildren, Janet Harriman and husband Scott, Joline Hayward and husband Randy, Jeffrey Whitman and wife Lisa; Larry, Gene and Eddie Smith; four great-grandchildren, Darren Whitman, Brendan Whitman, Shayla Harriman and Breya Whitman and a brother, Ralph Gardner. He was predeceased by brothers, Edwin and Howard and sisters, Agnes Howe, Annie Gardner and Mary Gardner.
     Graveside services will be held on Saturday, May 10 at 11 a.m. at Maple Ridge Cemetery in Harrison. Arrangements are under the direction of Weston-Chandler Funeral Home 230 Main St., Norway. On line condolences may be shared with his family at .