Merritt Gardner

Merritt Gardner, 87, of Goshen, died Thursday, December 30, 2021, due to an aortic tear.

He was born on April 14, 1934, in New York City to William H. and Katharine (Post) Gardner.

On March 26, 1961, Merritt married Ruth Ann Liechty at First Mennonite Church in Berne, Indiana. Merritt and Ruth Ann met while serving from 1958-60 as Mennonite Central Committee volunteer teachers in Newfoundland, Canada, where he served his alternative service as a member of the Society of Friends.

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Ruth Ann, and five children: Tim (Michelle Rago) Gardner of Bronxville, New York; Jon (Anne) Gardner of Greenbelt, Maryland; Angela Gardner of Princeton, N.J.; Christa (Dwayne Lawler) Gardner of Bentonville, Arkansas; and Dan (Patrick Miller) Gardner of Atlanta. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, one sister, Frances Kelly, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Merritt was preceded in death by his parents and sister Priscilla Gardner.

Merritt graduated with a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in education from Columbia University, and a Ph.D from Penn State University.

Merritt and Ruth Ann moved to Goshen, Indiana in 1969, when Merritt joined the Goshen College faculty as a mathematics professor. They became active members at Assembly Mennonite Church in its early days. Merritt and Ruth Ann were leaders in the outreach and Sunday worship on Goshen College campus. Their home was a place of welcome and hospitality for countless students and newcomers over the years.

Merritt taught at Goshen College for 29 years. After retirement, Merritt studied biblical Hebrew and Greek at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. He met regularly with an informal group at AMBS who honed their skills of these ancient languages by sharing their translations of biblical texts. Merritt’s translation of Psalm 23 became a favorite at Assembly Mennonite. Merritt was also known for his deep and resonant reading voice and delighted in reading scripture during worship services. He spent many hours translating biblical texts and creating readers’ theater of biblical stories. Recently, Merritt created visuals to accompany his recorded reading of numerous psalms, which have been used especially in Zoom worship services during the pandemic.

Merritt enjoyed using his theatrical skills in plays at Goshen College, local theater productions, and summer Bible school dramas.

A Zoom memorial service will be held at 1 p.m.  Jan. 15, with a slideshow remembrance starting at 12:50. The link for the service is https://zoom.us/j/9995275153

Memorial donations can be made to Goshen College.