John Gardner was a lifelong resident of Loudonville. A 1951 Loudonville High School graduate, he was a member of the 1949 undefeated football team that was inducted into the Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. After high school, he attended John Carroll University. He and his wife Jean were local business owners for 33 years and the parents of seven LHS graduates—Gregory, Nancy, Robert, Jennifer, Catherine, Scott, and Linda. They were members of the athletic, academic and music boosters. Though both battled illnesses that eventually took their lives, Jean in 1979 and John in 2002, they were always full of strength and support and an inspiration to others.

John and Jean were true believers that with determination, any goal could be accomplished. This belief, coupled with their involvement with the Loudonville schools, led John to make estate plans to help LHS students achieve their dreams. Upon his death, the John and Jean Gardner Scholarship was established with the Ashland County Community Foundation.

This scholarship will forever assure John and Jean Gardner’s continuing support of Loudonville High School students.

Prepared 2005