Joseph Leland Gardner

Joseph Leland Gardner, age 85, passed away peacefully among members of his family, on April 1, 2016. Leland was born on June 29, 1930, in Lakeside, Arizona, to Joseph Ivan and Sarah Isophine (Penrod) Gardner. As a young man, he served two years in the Army, stationed in England.  He then returned to the mountains he loved, where he met and married Loyola (Pokey) Johnson.  They had 5 children, and were married for 60 years. Leland worked hard all of his life, and retired from Navajo County as road supervisor in 1992, after working there for 21 years. Leland loved gardening, yard work, hunting, fishing, flying, and spending time with his family and friends. Leland is survived by his wife, Loyola (Pokey) Gardner, of Lakeside, Arizona; daughters, Leanne (Walt) Wimberly, Lori (Robert) Oliver, and Shannon (Mike) Hutchins; 17 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. Leland was preceded in death by his two sons, Mitch and Kent, sister Nella (Gardner) Frost, and both his parents. Funeral services will be held at the Lakeside Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1400 Church Lane in Lakeside, Arizona, on Wednesday, April 6th, 2016 at 11:00 A.M., with a viewing starting one hour prior.  Burial will follow at the Lakeside Cemetery, in Lakeside, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to the Donna (Kay) Willis gofundme.com account, or donations to the Kay/Willis family.