Lee Edwin Gardner

Southington, OH - The Family of Lee Gardner are saddened to announce his passing on November 8, 2025, at his home in Southington at the age of 94. Lee was born April 3, 1931, in Warren, OH, a son of Attorney Harold (HI) Gardner and Dorothy (Harper) Gardner. He grew up in the Warren/Greene Township areas, graduating from Warren G. Harding high school in 1949.
Lee grew up in Warren and spent much of his youth working on a farm, learning to be both resourceful, adaptive, and comfortable around heavy machinery. He turned those skills into a lifetime of opportunities including running his own landscaping and trucking company. He was a long time employee and retiree of Packard Electric, where he ascended from line operator to forklift operator, to boiler room engineer. His work ethic throughout his life was similar to his brother Roger, who shared the same energy and spirit. They were extremely close brothers, working side-by-side, living, and laughing their entire lives.
He was also a proud U.S. Army veteran, serving honorably in the Korean War as an artillery leader and achieving the rank of Corporal. During his service he was selected for the 16th Corps Leadership School and performed duties as Headquarters Commanding Officer 5th Cavalry Regiment. His decorations included The Korean Service Medal, 1 Bronze Service Star, The United Nations Service Medal, and The National Defense Service Medal. He was active in the Legion Post 540 out of Cortland and regularly participated in parades across Warren, Howland, Cortland, and Champion with his fellow Legionnaires. He was well known and respected throughout the community and actively supported causes including the Veterans Hospitals and Meals on Wheels.
Lee's sister Kay introduced him to his loving wife Linda. Lee and Linda fell in love and spent every day together for 33 years, building their lives and home from the ground up in Southington, Ohio. Lee was a dedicated and loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and Brother to his family. He is survived by his daughter, Diane (Jeff) Solarz of Cortland; son, Richard (Joan) Gardner; two grandchildren, Lauren (Sean) Dunn and Sean Solarz, great-grandchildren, Iona and Rory, and many extended family members.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his elder brother Roger Gardner and Roger's wife Erika, along with his two sisters and their spouses, Kay (Bob) Latimer, and Jane (Dan) Deneen.
Lee and Linda shared many hobbies with their family and friends including four wheeling, snowmobiling, skiing, fishing, and boating. They enjoyed traveling and created amazing memories on trips to Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas, New York, and the Rocky Mountains. Lee loved Linda's cooking, and they regularly hosted family and friends for holidays, birthdays, wedding receptions, and other occasions at the home they built together. They were together in both wonderful and challenging times, each supporting the other with never ending devotion.
Services will be held Saturday, November 15th, 2025, at the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home in Warren, OH. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until Noon, service following at noon. Lee will be laid to rest in Sager Memorial Cemetery in Bristolville, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Patriot at Home (Healthcare or Hospice) or a Veterans charity of your choice in Lee's honor. Lee profoundly touched the lives of family and friends throughout the community. His generosity, kindness, willingness to help others, and sense of humor will be deeply missed. He was one of a kind.