JUDSTON”JUD” MERLE GARDNER, 65, a long-time resident of Litchfield, formerly of Vassalboro, died on July 3, 2011. Jud was born on January 5, 1946 at Gardiner General Hospital, the oldest child of Bernard Judston and Irene (Austin) Gardner. Jud always worked. As a youngster he had chores such a splitting and lugging in wood, building and fixing things and working on his uncle’s farm doing such things as haying, cleaning chicken houses, fencing, milking, etc. He was also employed at the mill, Lipmans Poultry and worked in the woods. Jud was in the Navy Reserves and later transferred into regular Navy. He was a 3rd class petty officer. He worked as a Machinist Mate. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jud went back to school. He was then employed by Purington Brothers and Suburban Propane. He worked for Wadleighs, C.N. Brown and the Maine Turnpike Authority. His favorite work was working in the woods, and he worked there until he could no longer work. Jud had a great love and dedication for playing bass guitar and serving the Lord with music. Jud liked fishing. His 5 lbs. brookie and an 11.2 pound brown give evidence of that. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister Ava Mae Gardner. Jud is survived by the children he raised as his own with devotion and unconditional love, Kenneth Lee Murphy of Augusta, Jo Marie (Murphy) Arbour of Litchfield; their children, Christian, Blake, Jill and Aiden as well as his faithful wife, Joyce Blake Gardiner. He is also survived by his brothers David Bruce Gardner Sr. of Gardiner and Dale Austin Gardner of Jefferson and his sister Jacquelyn Mina Yeaton Preo of Vassalboro as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Graveside services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 12th at Maine Veterans Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta. On-line condolences may be offered to the family at www.directcremationofmaine.com.