Roger L. Gardner, 81, of Kingwood, Texas, formerly of rural Ayersville, Ohio, passed away Thursday, June 30, 2016, at Memorial Hermann Hospital where he had battled for three short weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. 

He was born on May 11, 1935, to C. Mildred Erskine in Lima, Ohio, and later adopted by his stepfather Thomas Gardner. On June 2, 1963, he married Shirley Rae Hoellrich who preceded him in death on December 9, 2009. He is survived by two children, Heidi (Eric) Coppeler of Bowling Green, and Drew (Kelly) Gardner of Fort Wayne, IN; 12 grandchildren, Alexandria and Dominique Coppeler and Seth, Noah, Isaiah, Elijah, Grace, Zechariah, Mercy, Hope, Peace, and Micaiah Gardner; wife Joyce (Smith) Wehnes-Gardner, whom he married on February 25, 2014; two step-children, Jeff (Missy) Wehnes of Dallas, TX, and Jamie (Glen) Duplechin of Kingwood, TX; and four step-grandchildren, Regan, Sydney, Colby, and Kasey Duplechin.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and his sister, Kaylene Romaker.

Roger never knew a stranger. His friendly demeanor, warm smile, and sense of humor positively impacted many, if not most, Defiance residents. He was a regular at Cabin Fever, Bud’s Restaurant, and Defiance athletic contests, where his cheers could be heard over every radio broadcast. After his move to Kingwood, Texas, he became a regular at Starbuck’s and, in just over two years, impacted the Kingwood community as he had Defiance.

Roger was a graduate of Deshler High School in 1953. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954-1957. After graduating from Findlay College with a degree in business education, he taught at Ayersville High School, Holgate High School (where he served two years as principal), and Liberty Center High School where he retired after earning a Master’s Degree from Bowling Green State University. He worked at Dinner Bell in Defiance during a one-year hiatus from education. After his retirement he worked at Maumee Valley Computer Company and Schaffer Funeral Home.

Roger loved serving his community in multiple capacities, including the Ayersville School Board, the Ohio School Board, and the Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention Board, which he chaired for years. He coached Little League Baseball in Defiance for many years and continued to support his players and other Defiance athletes into their high school careers and beyond.

He was a true patriot who loved the Marine Corps and the rest of our military. He was a life member of the Amvets, Marine Corps League, Military Order of Devil Dogs (reaching the highest rank of PDD), as well as a member of the VFW and American Legion. He served the Marine Corps League in various positions including Commandment of the Department of Ohio from 2007-2009 and member of the National Scholarship Committee. He received numerous recognitions for his service including Detachment Marine of the Year (1992), the national Department Marine of the Year (2009), and induction into the Chapel of the Four Chaplains. Roger joined the Eastex Detachment of the Marine Corps League upon moving to Kingwood where his knowledge and service became an immediate blessing to the local detachment and the Department of Texas.

He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Paulding, Ohio, and attended the Kingwood Church of Christ in Kingwood, where he and Joyce were active members in their Life Group.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 10, 2016, from 2:00-8:00pm at the Schaffer Funeral Home, Defiance, Ohio, and for one hour prior to services at the church. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Monday, July 11, 2016, at First Baptist Church, Defiance, Ohio, with Rev. Drew Gardner officiating. Burial will follow at Ayersville Cemetery where Military Honors will be accorded by VFW Post 3360. 

Memorials are suggested to Defiance Baseball Association, 204 Huron Street, Defiance, OH 43512.