Stephen "Beanie" Leroy Gardner

Millcraft Mining painter. Stephen Leroy "Beanie" Gardner, 79, of Washington, died at 5:25 p.m. Friday, September 22, 2006, in Donnell House, Washington, following a lengthy illness. He was born March 10, 1927, in Washington County, a son of Harold H. and Sarah Strawn Gardner. Mr. Gardner was a painter for Millcraft Mining. Previously, he had worked at Hazel-Atlas and Hazel-Atlas 1 as a glass decorator and at Glass Containers in Huntington Park, Calif. He was a social member of Veterans of Foreign Wars 927. Surviving are three sisters, Ada Louise Collum of East Killingly, Conn., and Patricia O'Korn and Mary Bobik, both of Washington, and several nieces and nephews. His close friend, Carl "Speedy" Bedillion of Washington, was at his side throughout his illness. Deceased are a sister, Helen Virginia Victorick; a brother, Elgy Gardner; and a niece, Mary Jane Henry, all of whom died in 2003. Friends will be received from 1 to 4 p.m., the hour of services, Monday, September 25, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, with the Rev. Mary Sprowls officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Donnell House, c/o Hospice Care of Washington Hospital, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301; or to Hickory Home Health Care, 120 Perry Road, Burgettstown, PA 15021.