John Anthony "Dip" Gardner, 98 years of age, passed away Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at Homestead Assisted Living in St. Anthony, from causes incident to age.

He was born, June 22, 1919, at Teton Idaho to Thomas and Marie Neibaur Gardner and was the fifth of twelve children born to Thomas and Marie. Growing up in the Teton, Moody area during the depression, life was hard, but the family worked hard, played together, and were a close happy family.

He joined the Idaho National Guard in 1940, and was a member of Company D116th Medical Battalion and served as a surgical technician in New Guinea and Australia during WWII. He was discharged from military service with the rank of Staff Sergeant and received medals for Good Conduct, Asiatic-Pacific Service, American Defense and the Bronze Star.

He met Crystal Dean Josephson at a dance in Teton and they were married April 14, 1945 in Malad, Idaho. They were one of the first couples to be sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on December 5, 1945 the day the Temple opened. Anthony and Crystal started their married life working at a gas station in Teton, Idaho, and then at a small grocery store in Newdale, Idaho, and worked their way up to owning their own bulk oil and tire business in St. Anthony, Idaho, Gardner Oil Co., which they operated for 45 years, until Anthony retired. They had 6 children, Wana Rae, Sharla Dee, Kim Anthony, Toni Ann, Kristine and Konie Sue.

Anthony was very active in his church callings and community service, serving as commander of the local VFW, and active member of the American Legion, member of the Fremont County School Board for 9 years, president of the Intermountain Oil Marketer's Association and served on many other committees locally. He received the Idaho Governor's Service Award in 1983, from Governor John Evans.

He loved to fish, travel and loved music and had a beautiful singing voice. He shared his talent freely singing at over 700 funerals and many community events.

Anthony is survived by his brother, Dean Gardner of Quincy, Washington; children, Sharla Galbraith of Ammon, Idaho, Kim Anthony (Sue) Gardner of Mapleton, Utah, Toni Ann (Jon) Crapo of St. Anthony, Idaho, Kristine (Mike) Sturm of Ashton, Idaho; son-in-law, Wendell Bloom of Parker, Idaho; 17 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, six brothers, his wife Crystal Dean Gardner; daughters, Wana Rae Bloom and Konie Sue Pipes; daughters-in-law, Vickie Lynn Gardner and Annette Bloom.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 11, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. in the St. Anthony LDS Stake Center. Visitations will be held Sunday evening, June 10, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and Monday, from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. both at the Stake Center (247 East 4 ^th North.)

Burial will be in the Teton-Newdale Cemetery with military rites by the St. Anthony Veterans and Idaho Honor Guard. Arrangements are through Bert Flamm Mortuary. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.flammfh.com. The family suggests donations be made to the South Fremont Education Foundation (2050 E. 600 N., St. Anthony, ID 83445); the Fremont County Search and Rescue (331 W. 1 ^st S., St. Anthony, ID 83445) or the South Fremont Fire District (45 W. 1 ^st S., St. Anthony, ID 83445.)