Meryle M. “Jim” Gardner, 81, Bellwood died early Monday morning Sept. 25, 2017 at UPMC Altoona. He was born Nov. 7, 1935 in Greenwood son of the late Lloyd A. and Dora E. (Miller) Gardner. On December 29, 1956 he married Nancy L. Sneath at Evangelical United Brethren Church, Bellwood. Surviving are his wife of 60 years; two sons, Lloyd A. “Drew” (Paula) of Hope Mills, North Carolina and James A. (Amy) of Reno, Nevada; four grandchildren, Danielle N. (Dustin) Moll, Amber D. (Jeffery) Desvignes, Ella Michelle and Hunter Gardner; 3 great grandchildren, Dalton, Dillon and Carissa; and two sisters, Ada M. Dengate of Akron, Ohio and Pearl E. Patterson of Bellwood. He was preceded in death by five siblings, John S., Lloyd A., Lester E., Gladys E. VanOrman and Gertrude Conrad. Jim was a 1954 graduate of Bellwood-Antis High School. He served in the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict. During his time in the service he was awarded “Airman of the Month” and also coached the Women’s Air Force Basketball team to a championship in 1956. In 1962 he earned his bachelor degree in Health, Physical Education and Drivers Education at Catawba College, Salisbury, North Carolina. During college he played guard for the Catawba Indians football team and also coached the Catawba women’s basketball team in 3 championship seasons. In 1962 he returned to the area and gained employment as a health and physical education teacher at Tyrone Area High School where he also served as assistant football coach for four years and coached baseball. Jim then began teaching health, physical and driver’s education at Altoona School District where he was assistant football coach under Earl Strohm and also served as director of District 6 track and field. Jim’s coaching career took him to many playing fields including Juniata College, Huntingdon as assistant coach from 1973-1975 where his team went to the Alonzo Stagg Bowl, then head coach of Bellwood-Antis Blue Devils from 1976-1980. He served as president for 2 years for the West Central Coaching Association and was also a member of the league. He participated in the Altoona City Softball League where he also was an official. Finally, in 1990 he retired from Altoona School District closing his teaching career after nearly 33 years. He enjoyed motorcycle riding, hunting, marksmen shooting and time in his workshop. Friends will be received from 5-8pm Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 and 9:30-10:30am Friday, Sept. 29, 2017 at Jon C. Russin Funeral Home, Inc. Bellwood. A funeral service will be held at 10:30am Friday at the funeral home, Rev. Mark Begly officiating. Interment at Blair Memorial Park Antis Township.