David Gardner

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Maynard Gardner on Friday, April 10, 2026. David was born on August 30, 1947, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Letha M. (Wood) and Ralph Maynard Gardner. He was raised in Caledonia and graduated from high school in 1965. Following graduation, David enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, proudly serving with the 2nd Engineer Battalion during the Vietnam War.

After returning from Vietnam, David spent some time as a disc jockey at a local radio station, built travel trailers, and then went on to a 30-year career at the Budres Lumber Mill before retiring. 

David had a lifelong passion for fast cars and racing. He spent many weekends at Berlin Raceway working in the pit booth and also raced factory stock and street stock cars at I-96 and Kalamazoo Speedways. He often summed up his approach to life with a smile, saying it was all about “coffee, cigars, fast race cars, and SDWS.”

Above all, David cherished time with his family. He especially enjoyed building model cars with his children and was affectionately known as “Cookie Grandpa” to his grandchildren. He also looked forward each year to attending the Ionia and Allegan fairs and could often be found proudly driving his beloved Ford pickup, “Giddy-Up-Gone!”

David is survived by his three children, Tracy Whitener (Dan), Jack (Tracy) Gardner, and Ron Gardner; grandchildren, Cody (Stefany), Jesika, Katalina (Michael), Forest, Alex (Brianna), Ricky, Ariana (David), Denise, Ryan, Charlotte, and Reva; eight great-grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews, Gina Lynn (Doug) DeVries, Bonnie (James) Denton, Lori Jean Riemersma and Dan (Pam) Mervau. 

David was preceded in death by his parents, Maynard and Letha Gardner; brother, Donald Gardner; sister, Patsy Downes; and nephew, Chuck Meyers.

We are profoundly grateful to the wonderful team at Georgetown & Cambridge Manors for the gentle care and unwavering support they provided to David and our family during this time.

A celebration of David’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 17, at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Friday 10-10:45 a.m. at the funeral home prior to service. The burial will take place at Dutton Cemetery. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to The Wounded Warrior Project.