Obituary for Eleanor R. "Tootie" Gardiner
<p dir="ltr"><span>Eleanor R. "Tootie" Gardiner, 78,</span><span> of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 6:25 p.m. Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at Three Springs Lodge Nursing Home in Chester.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>She was born to the late Louis H. and Marie (nee Bueckman) Blechle on April 7, 1938 in Chester.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>She married Keith Runge on July 4, 1959. He preceded her in death on December 22, 1962.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>She then married Carl H. Gardiner on July 17, 1965 in Farrar, Missouri. He preceded her in death on December 4, 2011.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Tootie was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chester, the Blessed Virgin Mary Altar Sodality, had sang in the choir, RCIA instructor, CYO moderator, an Eucharistic minister, attended Marriage Encounter at the King's House and served on Parish Council.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>She was also a member of the Kaskaskia Hairdresser Association and National Hairdresser Association. She had also done hair and makeup for the Chester High School Drama Department.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Survivors include - three children: David Runge, of Bunker Hill; Chris (Frank) Barthol,of Chester and Kelley Gardiner, of Chester. Two stepchildren - Debbie (Kendall) Brandon, of Cypress, Texas and Terry (Donna) Gardiner, of Cypress, Texas. Two sisters - Evelyn Wittenborn, of Chester and Patricia Whistler of Chaffee, Mo.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Five grandchildren - Frank, Brett, Trey, Rashelle and Rianna. Six step-grandchildren: Michael, Kyle, Eric, Amy, Beth and Kevin.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Several step great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Tootie was preceded in death by parents, first husband Carl, husband Keith Runge and one sister: Eileen Meyer.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Funeral mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chester with The Very Rev. Eugene H. Wojcik officiating.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Interment is in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation is Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Memorials can be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church or school.</span>