Shirley M. (Dalton) Gardner, 78 entered into the joy of the Lord Tuesday, September 8, 2026, after a long medical journey.
She was born on November 12, 1947, and grew up in Ashland, Ohio playing piano and dancing, as well as participating in clubs including Girl Scouts and 4-H. Her parents, brother, and her moved to Wooster, Ohio in the early 60’s, where she and her family were active members of the United Methodist Church.
After graduating from Wooster High School in 1966, Shirley attended Kent State University for several years, worked at ATI, and was offered the position as Vice President of Advertising at Peoples Federal Savings & Loan where she worked until 1981.
She married Terry Gardner in 1973 and spent many enjoyable evenings listening to her favorite band, Good Company.
Shirley loved making all kinds of crafts and attending craft shows throughout the area. She especially enjoyed sewing, making Christmas ornaments with her mom, to give to family and friends, and creating counted cross stitch pictures.
In her spare time, she enjoyed being an expert costume maker, chauffeur to dance competitions, band jobs, musicals, and overall #1 supporter for her daughter, Amy. She was also a lover of animals, especially dogs, and enjoyed each pet that the family had throughout the years.
Shirley was one of the kindest, strongest, selfless, compassionate, and resilient people in the world. Whether it was volunteering her time and talents to Central Christian Church and various service clubs including the Madisonburg Lions Club, Wooster High School Music Parents, or simply lending an ear to a friend or family member over the phone, she always took the time to help others and make them feel loved in the process.
Words cannot adequately express the amount of love, gratitude, and admiration her daughter and family have for her, and she will be deeply missed.
Shirley is survived by her daughter Amy Gardner of Wooster; brother David (Pam) Dalton of Wooster; nieces Brianna (Nick) Fugate of Wooster, Summer (Lauren) Dalton of Medina, Marissa (Lee) Ledford of Wooster, and Lynda Odenkirk of Connecticut; nephew Rob Odenkirk of North Carolina; and many cousins throughout the country.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster with Pastor Nathan Ward officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Gardens.
Friends will be received on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to PAWS for WCDS 5694 Burbank Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or to the Salvation Army Wooster Corps 437 S. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Funeral Home: McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home
Website: www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com