MARSHALL – Charles L. Gardner, age 92, of Marshall, passed away Friday, May 22, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Gardner was born on June 3, 1933, in Marshall County, Iowa, and was a resident of Birmingham, Alabama before moving to Marshall, NC in 1996. He was a member of the Masons. Charles served in the United States Navy during the Korean conflict and retired from his honorable service in 1955. After his time in the Navy, he moved on to employment at Protective Life Insurance and retired in 1995 as the Vice President of the company. Mr. Gardner was the son of the late Fred Floyd and Oma Blanche Harsha Gardner. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Shirley F. Bylund, and Phyllis Oma Watson; and brothers, Dr. D. D. Gardner, and Ronald D. Gardner.

Surviving is his wife, Mary Jane Banks Gardner whom he wed on June 30, 1956; daughter, Wendy Kay Fenech and husband Fred of Baxter, Iowa; son, Fred Gardner and wife Sarah of Birmingham, Alabama; sister, Norma Jean Jacobsen of San Mateo, CA; grandchildren, Jane Dallas Fenech, Melissa Mary Fenech, Charles David Fenech, Zachary Mark Gardner, Rebecca Josephine Gardner, and Charles Floyd Gardner; and nine great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 30, 2026, at West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville with Rev. Dusty Black officiating. Entombment will be in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory, 901 Aiken Rd., Asheville, with military honors. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the funeral home prior to the service.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving Mr. Gardner’s family.