Harold "Hop" M. Ladner

Harold M. “Hop” Ladner, 88, of Conneaut, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2020, at home with his family and Hospice team by his side.  He was born October 28, 1931, to the late Harold and Ruth (Collinge) Ladner.

Hop grew up in Conneaut and attended Conneaut schools, where he was later employed as an Art Educator after his graduation from Kent State University.  After obtaining his Masters of Education, he followed in his late father’s footsteps to become Vice Principal and then Principal in the Conneaut School system.  During his tenure, Hop coached and officiated football, track and basketball where he influenced many.  Athletics always held a special place in his heart, and he even earned his nickname “Hop” while playing basketball in school.  During a game he hurt his leg but continued to play while “hopping” on the court.  In 2006, Hop was inducted into the Ashtabula County Football Hall of Fame as a coach and educator.  He also served on the committee to select inductees.  Hop was a long time member of Elks Lodge #256 and the American Legion Cowle Post #151.

In 1955, Hop was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Schwienfurt, Germany, where he proudly served in the field artillery under “Operation Gyroscope.”

Hop was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He loved spending time with his family and friends.  Hop had a great sense of humor, loved people and lived his life to the fullest.  He was an avid sports fan his entire life, especially cheering for the Cleveland Browns, Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Conneaut Spartans.  In his younger years, one could find him on the tennis court or teaching swimming lessons at the township Park.  He could often be seen around town donning his favorite sports teams’ logos.  Hop also enjoyed fishing on his boat that he named “Hop’s Gal Sal,” named for himself, his daughter Gayle and his wife, Sally.

Hop was a 50 year member of First United Methodist Church in Conneaut serving on many committees and ushering.  Most recently he was attending Ashtabula First United Methodist Church.

From 1982 until present, Hop was a trustee of the George J. Record School Foundation that grants scholarships to students of Ashtabula County attending private institutions of higher learning.  During the last year of his life, Hop was able to honor his brother George in September with a plaque commemorating his accomplishments as a young student and athlete.  The plaque is displayed on the home team’s side at the football field for Conneaut High School.  Hop was also able to nominate his late mother, Ruth, for the Ashtabula County Choral Hall of Fame, of which Ruth was inducted in October, 2019.

Hop will be greatly missed by his family and friends.  The Greatest Generation has lost a truly good man with his passing.

Hop is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sally (Akerman) Ladner, daughter Gayle (Bill) Avery, granddaughter Allison (Richard) Wollenhaupt, grandson Michael (Heather) Avery, great-grandson Wesley Wollenhaupt, brother-in-law Jack (Arlene) Akerman, nephew Ron (Lora) Akerman, niece Sandie (Jim) Grindel, extended family members, and close friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents and his brother, George.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 PM, Sunday, January 26, 2020, at the Marcy Funeral Home, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut, Ohio.  Funeral service will be at 11:00 Monday, January 27, 2020, at the funeral home with Pastor Preston Watkins of Ashtabula First United Methodist Church officiating.  Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Hop’s name to Ashtabula First United Methodist Church, 4506 Elm Ave., Ashtabula, OH 44004; Conneaut Fire Department, 294 Main St., Conneaut, OH 44030, memo:  Rescue Squad; or Hospice of the Western Reserve, 1166 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004.  Envelopes will be available at the Marcy Funeral which is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

The family would like to thank Hop’s special caregivers and doctors at UH Conneaut Medical Center, Palliative Care, and his special and loving caregivers of Hospice of theWestern Reserve, the Ashtabula County Nursing Home, and the Conneaut Rescue Squad.

Please sign the guestbook at www.marcyfuneralhome.com

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