Joseph R. Gartner, 86 a life long Little Falls resident passed away on Sunday October 28, 2007 at Van Allen Nursing Home, Little Falls, NY. He was born January 21, 1921, in Little Falls the son of the late Frank & Frances (Hodnik) Gartner and was a graduate of St. Mary?s Academy, class of 1938 and attended Excelsior Business School in Utica, NY. His marriage to Mary T. Kaucher took place on October 25, 1947 at St. Mary?s Church in Little Falls, NY. Mr. Gartner was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran, enlisting on September 10, 1942 as an assistant crew chief and was honorably discharged on September 28, 1945 with the rank of Sergeant. From 1945 to 1968 Joe worked at Little Falls Color Print. For 17 years until his retirement in 1985 he was a letter carrier for the United State Postal Service. Joe was a member of the Holy Family Parish, and served on its council. For over 35 years, Joe was active with the Boys Scouts. He was one of the leaders of a scout group that went to Philmont, New Mexico. Mr. Gartner received the St. George Award, the highest award in the catholic scouting. Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Mary, two sons, Joseph F. Gartner and wife Barbara of SanDiego, California, and John E. Gartner and wife Lisa of LaJolla, California, two grandchildren, Lindsey and Geena Gartner, a brother, Edward Gartner and wife Lucy of Abbington, VA, a sister, Frances Tibbitts of Little Falls, in-laws, Mary Veronica Gartner of Little Falls, Audrey Kaucher of Little Falls, Dorothy George, of Dolgeville, Josephine Smith of Little Falls, and several nieces, nephews & cousins. He was pre-deceased by a brother, Frank Gartner. Funeral services will be held on Thursday November 1, 2007 at 9:30 am from the Enea Family Funeral Home, 24 W. Monroe St., Little Falls, NY, and at 10:00 am from the Holy Family Parish, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Anthony Ligato, pastor. Burial will be in St. Mary?s Cemetery, Town of Herkimer, NY. Friends and relatives may call at the Enea Family Funeral Home, on Thursday November 1, 2007 from 8:30 am until the time of the services. In lieu of flowers, all memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Parish or the Little Falls Hospital Guild. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.