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Subject: [CAMERCED-L] John William GARDNER (d. 5.13.1940)
Date: 27 Dec 2001 19:43:01 -0700

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.

Surnames: Gardner, Seely, Wicklun, Allison, Blair, Gree
Classification: Death

Message Board URL:

http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/VW.2ADE/921

Message Board Post:

Death Certificate, Merced County. Book 13, page 43

John William Gardner
Death date: May 13, 1940
Time: about 10 a.m.
Age: 64 yrs, 5 months, 18 days
Sex: Male
Color/Race: White
Marital status: Widowed
Occupation: Retired Farm laborer
Birthdate: Nov 25, 1875
Birthplace: ILL
Name and birthplace of Mother: Ella Seely, ILL
Name and birthplace of Father: Tom Gardner, ILL
Name of spouse: Deen Gardner
Place of death: Rural>Livingston, Merced Co.,
In this community: 5 yrs, in CA: 5 yrs.
Removal date: May 15, 1940
Removal to: Galesburg, ILL
Funeral director: Ivers and Alcorn
Informant: Thomas Gardner, Livingston
Cause of death:
Gun shot wound in head self inflicted, suicide 5-13-40, rural Livingston at
home, shot self with pistol.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Merced Express, Merced, CA. Thursday, May 16, 1940. Front page

Retired Rancher Commits Suicide

The body of John William Gardner, retired rancher, who died of a self-inflicted bullet wound at his cabin near Livingston Monday, was sent to Illinois this week for final rites.

Gardner's body was found by his son, Thomas Gardner, who lived with the 64-year-old man.He was sitting on the bed, with his back against the wall and a .32 revolver in his right hand. One shot had been fired from the gun and there was a
bullet wound in Gardner's right temple.

Deputy Coroner J.H. Alcorn said the death definitely was suicide and that he had shot himself from three to four hours before his body was found.

Gardner left no note and his son could give no reason for his death. His body was brought to the Ivers and Alcorn funeral home immediately after the death was discovered and was sent to Illinios Wednesday.

Gardner leaves three sons, Thomas of Livingston, Arch in Corcoran and Charles in Illinois; three daughters, Mrs. Elsie Wicklun, Mrs. Grace Allison and Mrs. Sadie Wicklun, all of Illinois; two brothers, Tom and George Gardner, both in Los Angeles; and two sisters, Mrs. Nellie Blair of Illinois, and Mrs. Tiny Gree in Reedley.

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