GLOUSTER, Ohio –Ralph W. Gardner, 81 of Glouster, passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at his residence. Born June 30, 1945, in Columbus, he was the son of the late John E. Sr. and Lillian E. Landis Gardner.
He was an Army Veteran serving in Germany during the Vietnam Era. He retired from Athens Public Transit. Ralph was a lifetime member, past president, and trustee of the Glouster Eagles Aerie #468. He was also active in the Glouster community as a boxing trainer at Sam’s Gym, a former stock car dirt track racer, and a member of a winning tug-of-war team for several years. An outdoor enthusiast, Ralph especially enjoyed camping and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Linda F. Thompson Gardner of Glouster; a sister, Patricia (Dan) McKee of Glouster; children, Chris (Donald) Renick of New Lexington, Ralph Groves of Glouster, Mechele Gardner of Glouster, William (Cathy) Gardner of Glouster, Joseph (Crystal) Gardner of Glouster; step daughters, Jodi (Jerrod) Malone of Albany, Amanda (Anthony) Parks of Chauncey and Brittany (Aries) Dorst of Athens; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; special friends, Sam Jones, Joe McVey, Dave Losey, Benny Whaley, and Rob Robertson.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, William, John, Jack, Joseph, and Russ Gardner; a sister, Linda Mckee; and a stepdaughter, Marcia Thompson.
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday July 20, 2026, at the Bishopville Church of Christ with Rev. Elijah Brooks officiating. Interment will be in the Maplewood Cemetery, Glouster. A visitation will be held on Sunday at the church from 3 to 6 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Monday. Arrangements have been entrusted to Morrison Funeral Chapel, Glouster-Bishopville. A message of comfort may be sent to the family at www.morrisonfc.com.