Ellsworth Gardner Jr

Ellsworth Gardner, Jr “Junior”, age 97, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Hedrick Medical Center, Chillicothe, Missouri.
Ellsworth was born the son of Elza P. and Anna Lee (Maples) Gardner, in Breckenridge, Missouri. He was united in marriage to Flora “Wanona” Merryfield on February 24, 1951 in Chillicothe, Missouri. She preceded him in death on April 9, 2024. He was an Army veteran during the Korean War. He was a delivery driver by trade, and “personal chauffeur” by choice. He delivered for Meadow Gold Milk, Hoover Oil Company, Hedrick Medical Center Lab, as well as driving friends and family when they needed a ride.
Ellsworth was a long time active member of Calvary Baptist Church where he was a member of the choir, Sunday school teacher and driver. He was a self-taught guitar player and was a travelling musician at the age of 8 years old, later making several records. He was a member of several groups, a gospel trio consisting of him, Nolan Long and Joe Faubion, and the Rusty Strings Band. He had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren, allowing them to dress him up and mess with his hair in their younger years, which was “off limits” as everyone else knew.
He is survived by two daughters, Debbie Evans and husband, Richard, of Utica, Missouri, and Susie Lindley and husband, Bruce, of Chillicothe, Missouri; one daughter-in-law, Debbie Gardner, of Chillicothe, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Penny Braymer (Chad) of Parkville, Missouri, Timothy Evans, of Utica, Missouri, Daniel Evans (Lindsey) of Holt, Missouri, Mathew Lindley (Jennifer) of Chillicothe, Missouri, Jonathan Lindley (Ashley) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Thomas Lavi (Sormeh) of Fremont, California, Ryan Gardner (DeAnn) of Chillicothe, Missouri, Aaron Gardner (Skylar) of Chillicothe, Missouri, Brett Gardner (Alexis) of Lenexa, Kansas, and Taylor Gardner, of Lenexa, Kansas; fourteen great grandchildren; two great-great granddaughters; one sister-in-law, Wanda Long, of Chillicothe, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Jeffry Alan Gardner; and one infant grandchild.
Funeral services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. A scheduled visitation will be held at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, October 31, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friends may call at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, October 31, 2025 from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Utica Cemetery, Utica, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, PO Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri, 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.