Velma Bell Gardner, 94, of Urbana,IL died at 7:25 A.M. Sunday (July 30, 2006) at home.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M., Friday, August 4, 2006 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, Urbana,IL. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign,IL. Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. Friday at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, Urbana,IL.

She was born August 28, 1911, in Mahomet,IL, a Daughter of Wilson Edward and Pearl Lee Reed Smith. She married Douglas Lovell Gardner on December 16, 1944, in Paxton,IL. He died May 7, 1995.

Survivors include six daughters; Pearl Ann Lamb of Monroe,MI, Phyllis Jean Rhodes of Urbana,IL, Carol Lee Van Camp of Milford, OH, Patricia Mae De Luca of Mesa,AZ, Karen Kay Baker of White Heath,IL and Nancy K. Wilson of Everett,WA, one son; Darrell Thomas Unzicker of Rush, Co., one sister Edna May Giraud of Hernando,MS, 28 grandchildren, 52 Great-Grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents,husband,two sons, two brothers and one sister.

Velma graduated from Oak Grove Elementary School in Mahomet,IL. Mrs. Gardner enjoyed traveling, gardening, crocheting, quilting doll collecting and numerous crafts. She was a member of Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, Urbana,IL and the Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral,FL. She served as a hopsice volunteer in Florida and helped mentor elementary students in an after school program at her church in Florida.

Memorial contributions may be made to Carle Hospice.