Donald Wayne "Dee" Hardman's Obituary
Donald Wayne “Dee” Hardman, 85, of Amherst, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Welcome Nursing Home in Oberlin, following a courageous three-year battle with cancer.
Born August 5, 1940, in Lockney, Gilmer County, West Virginia, Wayne was the son of the late Jake and Madge (Collins) Hardman.
Wayne graduated from Barberton High School in 1958 and went on to pursue a lifelong commitment to education. He attended Glenville State University and West Virginia University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He later received his Doctorate in Education from Kent State University.
Education was not simply Wayne’s profession, but his calling. He began his career as a teacher at Champion High School in Warren, Ohio, and later joined Lorain High School, where he served as both Assistant Principal and Guidance Counselor. Through his wisdom, patience, and genuine care for others, Wayne made a lasting difference in the lives of countless students, colleagues, and friends. He retired in 1993 after many years of faithful and devoted service.
Wayne had a deep love for politics, history, and current events. A proud member of the Democratic Party, he had an extraordinary knowledge of political campaigns and election history and always enjoyed a thoughtful conversation about the issues of the day. He was also an avid collector who took great pride in his impressive collections of political campaign buttons and memorabilia, advertising items, sports cards, and sports-related treasures. These interests brought him much happiness and reflected his curiosity, passion, and appreciation for the stories of the past.
Wayne was also a devoted fan of his beloved West Virginia Mountaineers. No matter the sport, he followed the Mountaineers with pride and enthusiasm. For many years, he made trips to Morgantown for football and basketball games, creating cherished memories and passing that tradition on to Jake. His love for West Virginia University remained a meaningful part of his life, and he was a proud and loyal alumnus to the very end. He also found great enjoyment in cheering on Cleveland’s professional sports teams.
Wayne will be remembered for his kind heart, sharp mind, gentle spirit, and the genuine interest he took in the lives of others. He shared his love of learning, his passion for sports and politics, and his steady friendship with all who knew him. His presence brought warmth, wisdom, and joy to those around him, and he will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
Though he had no immediate family of his own, Dee was deeply loved and richly blessed by a special extended family whose lives he touched in countless ways. He is survived by the Engle family: Kim, Rex, Allie, Jake (Courtney), Harper, and Kendall; and the Kuhn family: Dawn, Michael (Emily), and Kevin (Michaela), also survived by brother-in-law Kenneth Gene Meehan; nieces Shelly Meehan and Kelly Meehan (Mike Planey); nephew Shaun Meehan (Dawn); many great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Madge Hardman and his beloved wife of 63 years, Alice L. “Baba” Hardman.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, Ohio. Funeral services will immediately follow the visitation at 4:00 p.m. in the funeral center.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Wayne’s memory to the West Virginia University Foundation and specify the Mountaineer Athletic Club (MAC) In Memory of Wayne. WVU Foundation, One Waterfront Place – 7th Floor, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507-1650
Online condolences may be left for the family at https://www.dovinreberjones.com.
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