Robert N. Gardner, 81, of Rockville, died at 11:07 a.m. Friday, March 25, 2016, in the emergency room of Terre Haute Regional Hospital. He retired from Eli Lilly and Company. He was born March 6, 1935, in Beech Grove, to the late Orville Gardner and Elizabeth Robertson Gardner.

His wife of 26 years, Diane Botts Gardner, whom he married Aug. 30, 1959, died May 10, 1985. Survivors include two sons, Jim (Julie) Gardner of Charlotte, N.C., and Ronnie Gardner of Rockville; two daughters, Jean Lear (Scott) White of Rockville and Nancy (Jim) Hoepfner of Plainfield; one brother, Richard (Marsha) Gardner of Noblesville; and nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was a graduate of Warren Central High School. He never missed an episode of Days of Our Lives; he loved classic cars, automobile racing and spending time with his grandchildren.

Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, 2016, at Gooch Funeral Home, 112 W. Howard St., Rockville, with the Rev. Alex Hershey officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Greenwood. Visitation is from 4 until 8 p.m. Tuesday. Friends may sign an online guest register at:

www.goochfuneralhome.com.