10/28/1954 - August 3, 2026

Philip “Phil” Gardner, 71, of Lake Zurich, died Monday, August 3, 2026, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Phil was born in Chicago on October 28, 1954, to parents Joseph and Vivian (nee Benhart) Gardner, sister Linda, and half-sisters, Beverly, Diane, and Carol Ann.

Following Joseph’s death in 1967, Vivian married Eugene Schings, who was an integral part of Phil’s family.

Phil worked as a Sales Representative for MC Machinery Systems Inc. (Mitsubishi EDM/Laser) in Elk Grove Village for 19 years and retired in 2018.

Phil loved fishing and spent countless hours on the water with friends and family. He especially loved musky fishing in Hayward. He was an animal lover and had a special place in his heart for horses. He never had any pets of his own, but enjoyed walking his neighbor’s dog. In his younger years, he greatly enjoyed motorcross racing on dirt and ice.

Phil was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers and loved to watch the games and cheer them on. He was a proud board member of the Ela Township Historical Society and served faithfully for many years.

He was a loving brother, uncle, and friend who will be missed dearly by all who knew him.

Phil is survived by his sister Linda (the late Herb) Henderson, his half-sisters, Beverly (the late Chester) Limbaugh, and Diane (the late Gus) Tsouloufis, his nieces, Christa Wright, Judy Niemann, Heather (Larry) Berwanger, Helen (the late Chester) Limbaugh, his nephews, David (Patti) Infantino, and Tom (Samantha) Limbaugh, his great nieces and nephews, Justin (Alexus) Wright, Olivia Wright, AJ Berwanger, Emma Berwanger, Nicole Watts, Jake Niemann, and Zack Limbaugh, and his great-great niece and nephews, Ny’omie Wright, Bryson Wright, Greyson Wright, and Landon Limbaugh.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Gardner and Vivian Schings, his step-father, Eugene Schings, his half-sister, Carol Ann Gardner, and his nephew, Chester “Chip” Limbaugh.