East Alton Joseph L. Gardner, 77, died at 1:50 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, at VIP Manor in Wood River. He was born June 7, 1935, in Otterville, and was son of Leo Sherman Gardner, Cecilia (Woolsey) Gardner Young and stepfather, Carl Young, all of whom are deceased. He married Margaret F. Kronable on June 1, 1956, in Jerseyville. She survives. A Navy veteran, he was employed in maintenance at Madison County Mental Health Center for 25 years and retired in 1998. He was a musician, loved his family, music and his dog, "Puppy." Survivors are four daughters and three sons-in-law, Marla (Tom Martin) Gardner of Wood River, Peggy Gardner of Wood River, Jody (Michael) Pattillo of East Alton and Christina (Lonnie) Copeland of Rosewood Heights; a son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Jackie Gardner of Ferguson, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Peggy Ballard of Wood River and Dixie Meyers of Arkansas; brother, Gene Gardner of Godfrey. She was proceeded in death by a brother, Raymond Gardner, and grandson, Shawn Gardner. Memorial visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, at Gray Funeral Home in Wood River. Memorials may be to 5 A's Animal Shelter. Condolences: www.grayfuneralhomeinc.com.