Irene F. Gardner, (nee-Thompson), 86, of Elyria passed away Sunday July 29, 2018 at U.H. Elyria Medical Center following a brief illness. She was born February 9, 1932 in Cleveland and was an Elyria resident for most of her life. Irene formerly worked as a self-employed Realtor, formerly volunteered at the Elyria Medical Center and enjoyed working Sudoku puzzles, reading, watching classic films and was an animal lover, especially elephants. Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Galen; daughters, Kim Gardner and Lisa Gardner; son, Eric Gardner; grandchildren, Eric (Stevie) Gardner, Kipp Gardner and Emma Gardner; great-grandchild Rylan Gardner; sister, Harriet Poole; brother, Thomas Thompson. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Vivian Donaldson and Shirley Sherrill and brothers, Lawrence Emory and John Campbell. The family will receive friends Friday 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Service 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. (at State Rt. 57), Elyria. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday August 4, 2018 in the funeral home. Burial will be at Ridgehill Memorial Park, Amherst Township. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Irene F. Gardner Memorial Fund at any Huntington National Bank branch. Online condolences may be expressed at www.laubenthalmercado.com