BILL GARDNER, 75, of Goderich, Ontario, passed away October 12,
1998 after a short illness. Bill was born and raised on the family
farm in Brampton, Ontario.
After serving his country in the second World War, he went to
work for the Sheaffer Pen Company until 1984, when he retired as
general manager and CEO. He was an active member in the community
as a Mason and a Shriner, and served with the Lions Club for fifty
years. Bill was proud to be a veteran and active member of the
Canadian Legion. He also served as an elder of Knox Church.
He had the energy of a much younger man, was always on the go,
especially when it came to looking for his favorite gas engine, the
Johnson Iron Horse. During the summer months Bill attended many gas
engine shows in southern Ontario and Michigan. During the winter
months he spent time in Florida where he also attended many shows.
Bill will be sadly missed by his wife Edie, son Bill Jr., and all
the friends he made during his lifetime.
Submitted by fellow collector and friend Martin Pope, 2
Donnacona Crescent, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M1E 3P9.
LYNN H. REYNOLDS of Hortonville, Wisconsin, 62, died August 30,
1998. His widow Anne and two sons, Andrew of Appleton, Wisconsin,
and Jon of Grayslake, Illinois, survive.
He was interested in old iron as a child, sleeping during sap
season near the evaporator during maple season. He saw threshing
crews operate, and as an adult sought to recreate those memories by
attending steam and gas engine shows throughout the Midwest. His
father’s museum of antique farm machinery was a special point
of pride until it was sold to settle the estate at Aniwa,
Wisconsin. Among others, he bought the Titan, Rumely, and John
Deere tractors in an attempt to preserve old vintage machines he
hoped to put on display for others to enjoy.
As a visitor he went to Portland, Indiana’s show for several
years, and to museums in Canada and out west. He enjoyed seeing the
‘iron horse’ pass his family farm several times a day. He
was a member of the Northern Illinois Sycamore Club; North Central
Wisconsin at Edgar; Badger at Baraboo, Wisconsin; and Pickett,
Wisconsin; and supported other clubs like Freeport, Illinois, with
displays for many years. Lynn was enchanted by the Mt. Pleasant
show.
In 1995 he was part of the only father/son team inducted in the
Maple Hall of Fame at Croghan, New York. His genealogy study,
completed two weeks before his death, resulted in a book, Reynolds,
Maple and History, including the impact of old gas and steam
engines on his free time the past decade. Lynn will miss the noon
whistle and all his friends at the next engine show.
Submitted by Anne Reynolds , W 10010 Givens Road, Hortonville,
Wisconsin 54944-9677.
