Charles Edward Gardiner 1918-1945

GARDINER, PETERMAN, MATZKA

Posted By: deb (email)
Date: 12/8/2015 at 18:02:02

Charles Edward Gardiner, the son of Benjamin Franklin and Jennie M. Glantz Gardiner, was born in Iowa on 13 January 1918. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.

Charles, who attended Corse School, graduated from Burlington High School, Class of 1936. After graduation he worked at Carmean Oil Company as an attendant, Taystee Bread Company as a salesman, Benner Tea Company as a warehouse man, and Murray Iron Works Company as a machinist.

On 11 April 1937, Charles married the former Henrietta Illard Peterman (Class of 1936), daughter of Herman Alvin and Rose K. Hoffeditz Matzka, in Canton, Missouri. At the time of marriage, Charles was working at the West Burlington Shops. From this marriage they had two sons; Charles Edward (born 26 December 1938) and Ronald Lee (born 6 August 1940).

Charles enlisted in the U.S. Army on 11 August 1944 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri and took his training at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. He left for the European Theater of Operations on 5 January 1945, serving with Company F, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. In a War Department telegram, Henrietta learned that Charles was Killed In Action on 3 March 1945 by a German sniper near Hemispand, Germany.

Charles was survived by his wife; two sons; his parents; one brother, George of Chanute, Kansas; and two sisters, Phyllis Melburg of Oquawka, Illinois and Frances Nafstad of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Sergeant Charles Edward Gardiner, United States Army, was buried in a temporary American Military Cemetery in Europe. After the war, Charles’ family requested that his remains be returned to Burlington for burial. Graveside services for Charles were at Aspen Grove Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. on 26 March 1949.

Among his awards and decorations the Purple Heart, Europe-Africa-Middle East Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge.