Orpha Luella (Huston) Gardner, age 82, of Gnadenhutten, Ohio, died July 26, 2017 at Riverside Manor in Newcomerstown, Ohio. Luella was born September 6, 1934 in Gnadenhutten, the daughter of the late Alexander (Alex) and Onie “Sudie” (McMullen) Huston.

Luella was a 1952 graduate of Port Washington School. She went on to work at both the post office and grocery in Port Washington.

          On July 12, 1952, she married Archie Lee Gardner, Sr. Luella and Archie built their home in Gnadenhutten in 1955, celebrating 65 years of marriage together there, where they raised their family. She was a homemaker, and loved to care for her family. She enjoyed cooking and baking, as well as tending to her flower gardens. Above all else, the joy of her life was her family: her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

          Luella attended the Church of Christ in Gnadenhutten. For 20 years, Luella was active in both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts organizations. She enjoyed babysitting throughout her life, caring for children in both Port Washington and Gnadenhutten. She enjoyed volunteering to the Indian Valley Band Boosters, as well as to elementary school, home economics, and library classrooms.

          In addition to her husband Archie, Luella leaves behind her children: Arlene Jacobs of Guernsey, Alison (Mark) Campbell of Port Washington, and Archie (Rhonda) Gardner, Jr. of Gnadenhutten; 4 grandchildren: Blake Gardner, Brant (Tiffany) Gardner, and Brooke (David) LeBlanc of Gnadenhutten, and Brett Jacobs of Guernsey, Ohio;  6 great-grandchildren: Cruz, Crozby, and Creed Gardner; Asher, London, Ryker LeBlanc all of Gnadenhutten, Ohio; 3 brothers: Harold “Hod” (Mary Lou) Huston of Port Washington, Kenny (Dot) Huston of Orlando, Florida, and Bob ( Judy) Huston of Arkansas. 

          In addition to her parents, Luella was preceded in death by a daughter, Annette Lynn Gardner and a son-in-law Bobby Jacobs; as well as siblings: Rosalie Stocker, Merv, Dale, and Dorothy Huston.

          Services will be held Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the John Heckewelder Memorial Moravian Church with Rev. Tom Klaserner officiating. Burial will follow at Gnadenhutten-Clay Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, July 28, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the John Heckewelder Memorial Moravian Church.  And also one hour prior to the funeral service. Memorial contributions may be made to any charity of the donor’s choice.