The Charles V. and Oneta B. Gardner Scholarship Fund

Charles Gardner and Oneta Kalb grew up across the street from each other in Middlebury, Indiana and were childhood sweethearts. Charles attended Goshen College in the mid-1930s where he obtained his teaching certificate. He taught two years at a rural school before becoming a business man. He started Goshen Implement Company in Goshen to sell International Harvester equipment to local farmers.

Oneta attended Business College and helped with the business but mostly raised their four children. Charles and Oneta were active members of College Mennonite Church. Charles was a founding board member of Bethany Christian Schools in Goshen.  They were financial supporters of many educational institutions including Goshen College. All of their children attended Goshen College and the family established this scholarship to honor their parents’ strong commitment to Christian education.