Gary Lee Schardine, 51, of Homewood, Ill., died Feb. 19 at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, of complications following a heart attack Feb. 1
Schardine devoted his career to assisting the disabled in overcoming problems of mobility and communication. He was a certified orthotist and positioning specialist for more than 30 years, working with clients in Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois. He moved to Homewood in 1989, and worked with clients throughout the greater Chicago area. He founded Crossroads Health and Medical Equipment, Inc. of Homewood in 1999.
Schardine was a member of the Illinois Federation for Human Rights and the Human Rights Campaign. He was a past member of the Chi-Town Squares and was a founding member of the Abundant Life Congregation of the Metropolitan Community Church, formerly of Park Forest.
He is survived by his partner of 19 years, Frank Michaels of Homewood; four children&emdash;Jill Schardine of Elgin, Tobia Schardine of Harvey, Mary Lierman of Cincinnati, and Anthony Schardine, also of Cincinnati; three brothers&emdash;Lester Schardine of Cleves, Ohio, and Thomas and Howard Schardine of Cincinnati. He has three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held 3-5 p.m. Saturday, March 10 at the Ryan Funeral Home, 18022 Dixie Hwy., in Homewood. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children or Illinois Federation (now Equality Illinois).