George D. Gardner

Gardner is the son of Dexter and Hellen Tracey Gardner of Vincennes, owners of the longstanding Vincennes mortuary business bearing their name. He graduated from Culver Military Academy Summer School in 1945, and from Lincoln High School in 1950. He was vice president of his class, a member of the Student Council, and manager of the football and junior varsity basketball teams. He participated in Lincoln Playhouse, Lincoln Log, the Booster's Club, and wrote for the Old Post Sentinel.

Gardner attended and graduated from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science, where he was president of his class. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, returning to Vincennes in 1954 to assume responsibilities with the 180-year-old family business. His career as a licensed funeral director and embalmer is over 40 years in tenure.

Gardner was the Knox County Coroner for two terms, member and president of the State Coroners' Association, and member and president of the Vincennes City Cemetery Board of Regents. In 1969, he was elected to the first of two terms in the Indiana State House of Representatives.

In 1973, former Governor Otis Bowen appointed Gardner as a founding member of the Indiana Educational Employment Relations Board, a board he was re-appointed to in 1981 by former Governor Robert Orr. In 1993, former Governor Evan Bayh appointed Gardner to the Indiana State Police Board, of which he is presently serving as president.

Gardner's leadership has benefited many businesses and organizations. He served on the Board of Directors of United Federal Savings Bank (currently Alliance Bank), Good Samaritan Hospital, the Vincennes University Foundation, the Vincennes University State Advisory Board and the Vincennes YMCA. He has also been a member of the boards of the Salvation Army, the North End Boys Club, and the Indiana Military Museum. Further, Gardner was a member of the Welfare Foundation Board, and is currently a trustee of the Red Skelton Needy Children's Trust Fund.

Gardner's affiliations include the Vincennes Rotary Club, the Masonic Lodge, Shrine, Scottish Rite, Jesters, Elks, Moose, Eagles, American Legion, Indiana Society of Chicago, and the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and was granted the honorary titles of Sagamore of the Wabash, and Kentucky Colonel.

Gardner received special distinction in 1959 when he was crowned the Champion Watermelon Seed Distance Spitter by the Junior Chamber of Comerce.

Gardner and his wife Linda reside in Vincennes. He has two children, David Gardner and Jan Thomas, and three stepchildren, John, Sheryl & Joran Scott.

Distinquished Alumni 1998

Class of 1950