Virgle Eugene Gardner, 86, long time Brush resident died Monday evening at the North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley after a short bout with cancer. He was born June 17, 1924 near Eckley, CO to James and Edith (Smith) Gardner. He married Shirley Sigwing April 5, 1953, in Wray, CO. He worked at the Co-op in Wray before they moved to Brush in 1956 where he worked for the Warren and Foster Lumber Companies for many years. He was a handyman and enjoyed tinkering, he was always there to fix things for his children. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his daughters Karen Eskew and Nancy Hosier both of Ft. Morgan, Jana Schippert of Brush ,and one son Randy Gardner of Brush, six brothers Kenneth Gardner and Sharon Gardner both of Washington, Clyde Gardner of Ft. Collins, Eldon Gardner and Ervin Gardner both of Ft. Benton, Montana, and Steven Gardner of Wray, two sisters Helen Warren of Denver, and Esther Brophy of Portland, Oregon, seven grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley in 1997, and one brother Alfred, and his parents. Visitation will be held on Thursday 5-7 pm at the Heer & Dahl Mortuary in Brush. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 10:00 am at the First Christian Church in Ft. Morgan. Interment will follow in the Brush Memorial Cemetery. Friends who wish may make memorial donations in Eugene's name in care of the Heer & Dahl Mortuary 222 Cameron Street Brush, CO 80723.