Roger Harper Gardner

Champion, OH -The Family of Roger H. Gardner, announce with heavy hearts his passing on February 3, 2024, at Windsor House in Champion. He was 94 years young. Roger was born April 14, 1929, in Warren, OH, a son of Attorney Harold (HI) Gardner and Dorothy (Harper) Gardner. He grew up in the Warren/Green Township areas, graduating from Greene High School in 1948. He enlisted in the US Army and entered active duty on October 4, 1948. After completing his basic training, he was sent to Germany and was assigned to the 519th Field Artillery Battalion. He became a Platoon Sergeant (First Class E(7) in an ammunition section during his last year. Roger was honorably discharged in 1952. He continued his military career by enlisting in the Ohio Army National Guard where he became platoon leader, company commander and logistics officer (S4), receiving an honorable discharge in 1989. Throughout his service, he received numerous medals and ribbons: Certificate of Safety- US Constabulary (Germany), Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal Army, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components National Guard Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Award of Merit, Ohio Faithful Services Ribbon, Ohio Special Service Ribbon, Army NCO Professional Development, Certificate of Appreciation, US Army Second ROTC Region (Fort Knox Kentucky), 107 Armored Cavalry Achievement. While in Germany, he met and married the lovely Erika in 1950. They eventually settled in Champion, Ohio, raising their two children and spending the next 67 years there. Roger was a loyal and loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Brother to his family. Always saying to the end, we have a good Family. He is survived by his daughter, Carmen Moser; son, Terry (Kathy) Gardner; four grandchildren, Jason Gardner, Alicia (Jason) Perry, Adam (Lisa) Gardner, and Julie (Dan) D'Annunzio; great-grandchildren, Dayna (Mike) Bradac, Jordan, Ben, Levi, Caleb, Sophie, Danny, Dominic, and Giovanni (Gino); one brother, Lee (Linda) Gardner; and many extended family members. He had many Friends. Everyone seemed to know him, greeted him wherever he went, and appreciated his contributions to service and community. He will be sorely missed. He was honored and proud to be a member of many organizations including American Legion Post #540, (Cortland), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW Johnson Post #7614), Masons (Carroll F. Clapp Lodge 655, Master Mason), Moose Lodge #1012 (Cortland), Scottish Rite Valley of Youngstown (Thirty-Second Degree) First Cleveland Cavalry Association, EANGUS (Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States), Officers Call. While being a member of American Legion Post #540, he was commander from 1996-2018 and responsible for his Post being active in parades, memorials, school programs, posting and retiring colors for various community activities. They are also active in providing a Military Honor Guard service for deceased Veterans and their Families. For Roger's contribution and dedicated service, he received many honors including, Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame (2013), the Rufus Putnam Award Citation (2017), Community Stars at Packard Music Hall (2005), Grand Marshall of the Cortland Street Fair (2015), the Lester R. Stauffer Award (2013-2014), Raymond L. Johnson, Post #540 Cortland Honors (2001), "All Stars" Award, a Certificate of Appreciation for service as Captain in the US Armed Forces, signed by George Bush (Commander in Chief) to name a few. More than any other award that he received, Roger was proudest of the men and women who have dedicated their time participating in the Honor Guard, "Poppy" and "Give to the Yanks" collections, school programs posting and retiring the colors for the memorials, parades and community activities that requested their services. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Erika, who passed away in March of 2023; two sisters and their spouses, Kay (Bob) Latimer, and Jane (Dan) Deneen; son-in-law, Robert Moser, and Family members in Germany. Services will be held Friday, February 9, 2024, at the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home in Warren, OH. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until Noon, service following at noon. Roger will be laid to rest beside his wife, Erika, in Crown Hill Burial Park, Vienna, OH. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to a Veterans Organization or a charity of your choice in Roger's memory. The family would also like to thank those who helped watch over and care for him the last several months. Thank you for your service in the Army and National Guard, your time, and your dedication to all Veterans! You were all about "Veterans helping Veterans." So, at the end of the day- Roger- JOB WELL DONE!