C. Rudolph (Rudy) Gardner, 88 of Hillsville, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2009 at Trinity Mission of Hillsville. Mr. Gardner was born in Carroll County to the late Edgar and Edith Willard Gardner. He served in the United States Army as a Technician Third Grade with Communication Company A 305th Signal Operation Battalion from 1942 until 1945 during World War II. Mr. Gardner operated a family farm and retired from Sprague Electric. He enjoyed fox hunting and playing golf with family in friends. In addition to his parents, Rudy was preceded in death by a niece Patricia Cilli. Survivors include his wife Josephine Bowman Gardner of Hillsville; son and daughter-in-law Dr. James R. and Cherry Gardner of Midlothian, VA; granddaughters and spouses Cheryle Dene and Sbastien Mortreux and Ashley Kaye and Scott Fetterman; brother & sister-in-law Kenneth E. and Betty Gardner of Hillsville; niece Dianne Gardner; and nephews Mike Gardner and Doug Gardner.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at Gladesboro Lutheran Church at 2:00 PM with Pastor Duane Steele. Burial will follow in the Gladesboro Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the Hillsville V.F.W. Post 1115. Mr. Gardner will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. The family will receive friends at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel on Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.