Donald Gardiner

Donald W. Gardiner, of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2020 after a short stay at Bronson Hospital following a serious head injury from a fall taken in his home. Don was born on August 5, 1961 in Kalamazoo MI. He was the son of Charles and Rita Gardiner Ginnelly (Klein). He attended St. Joseph Elementary where his mother taught 4th grade. Don graduated from Hackett Catholic Central in 1979. He carried many wonderful memories of the lifelong friends he made at Hackett and the football and track teams that he loved so much. As an adult, he was loyal to football and attended his nephews' games at Hackett and Schoolcraft. He was always their biggest fan, win or lose. He loved Notre Dame Football! Don studied electrical engineering at ITT in Grand Rapids and KVCC in Kalamazoo. He worked for TeleConnect Plus for several years before taking a position with Stryker Corporation. He leaves many friends and business associates at Stryker following a lengthy career in the area of project management of medical devices. He would jokingly want to note that he passed away in one of the Stryker beds he helped build! At Stryker, his work was in the area of specialty beds where he holds patents for his adaptations of Stryker devices customized for specific needs of physicians. He was an avid hunter, outdoorsman and gun owner. Don enjoyed deer hunting with his brother David, target shooting, and travelling 'Up North' to enjoy the lakes and forests with family and friends. He loved his family deeply and let them know how important their unwavering support was to him throughout his adult struggles. He and his siblings texted regularly, sometimes daily, and Don would want to encourage other families to never give up on their loved one suffering the effects of addiction. Don is survived by his three siblings and their spouses, David (Rosemary) Gardiner of Kalamazoo, Colleen (Bernie) Graham of Florida, and Denise Gardiner of Portage. He was very proud of his six nieces and nephews, Jessica Gardiner McKinley of Kalamazoo, MI, Erin Gardiner (Efe Uner) of Chicago, IL, John David (Addie) Gardiner, of Maple City, MI, Ross Patrick Gardiner (Ashley Rice), of Chicago,IL, Bernard Graham (Cindy), and Casey Graham Krupsky (Brad),Brennan Schoenfeld of Norristown, PA and Rebecca Bruystens (Josh) of Paw Paw, MI. Many great-nieces and nephews, Caden and Rowan McKinley, Ian Kozic, Grace, Bennie, and Livvy Gardiner, Eliza Uner, Poppy Gardiner, Kariona, Kaiden and Kaylee Graham, Devon and Darcie Chimino, Miranda, Monica, and Bradley Krupsky, Noelle and Edwin Schoenfeld, Jackson and Clarity Bruystens. Don was pre-deceased by his parents. Following his wishes, cremation has occurred. A Celebration of Don's life will be planned for a later date. Please take time to sign his guestbook by lighting a candle and/or sharing a memory with his family. The family is being assisted by Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society, 129 S. Grand, Schoolcraft, MI 49087 (269-679-5622).