Obituaries 5 March 2024

Rosalie Melvena (Newman) Gardner

Rosalie Melvena (Newman) Gardner, 87, of Winchester, passed away peacefully at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton on Feb. 29, 2024.

She was born July 13, 1936 to Leo and Dorothy Newman of Otway.

Rosalie was the second oldest of six children.

Rosalie was preceded in death by her husband of almost 70 years, Kenneth, who passed away June 25, 2022. Rosalie married Kenneth Gardner on Nov. 29, 1952 in West Union. Together, they raised six children alongside their own siblings and created a large number of lasting family memories with many nieces and nephews.

There are six surviving children, Lawanda (John) Carrell, Donna (Charley) Bryan, Cindy Gardner and Kelly (Kenneth Kapaun) Gardner. Heather Carrell (with fiancé Joe Lampton), daughter of John and Lawanda, is a granddaughter of Rosalie's that she loved dearly. Rosalie and Kenneth had two other adult children and four other adult grandchildren. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Braymer Chambers, Hayden Gardner, Sophie Richards, Eli Gardner, Amaya Richards, Georgia Gardner, Jackson Gardner and Addison Gardner. 

After her children had graduated from school, Rosalie became a certified baby sitter and helped raise several children from local families in her home. She was a babysitter for 10 years. Rosalie enjoyed going to church beside her husband Kenneth, special church singing with Joyce and Eva Hoffer, working in her flower beds, visiting friends and family, gardening, cooking, canning and fishing.

Rosalie spent the last seven years of her life confined to a wheelchair. She quickly learned that it wasn't the end of the road, but merely a detour and a chance for her to learn a new way of doing things.

Rosalie had developed a special bond with her home health aide named Sarah. Sarah quickly felt like family and she spent many days helping Rose. Rosalie loved her family and was always willing to feed anyone who was in need. Rosalie would say, "Life is precious and to always tell those dear to you that you love them."

For more information, visit www.thompsonfuneralhomes.com.

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