Louis Gardner, Jr., 70, of St. Louis, Mo., formerly of Kennett, died Thursday, July 8, 2004, at Village North Manor in St. Louis.

Born May 21, 1934, son of the late Louis, Sr. and Evelyn Hall Gardner, he was a U.S. Army veteran and was retired from the U.S. Postal Service.

On July 2, 1988, he married JoAnn Beasly, who survives.

Survivors also include two daughters, Pam Kenny and husband, Eugene, of Kennett and April Townsend, of St. Louis; one brother, Bobby Gardner and wife, Anita, of Kennett and three grandchildren, Kamari and Jordan Townsend, of St. Louis and Jad Kenny, of Kennett and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Lawrence Gardner.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 15, at the St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church in Kennett with the Rev. Juliet Hemphill officiating.

Burial will follow at the Willoughby Cemetery in Kennett