From Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home: 

Richard "Dick" Fortner, 80, of Copley, passed away Nov. 8, 2012 with family by his side. He was born in Navarre to Gilbert and Elizabeth Fortner and was president of the Navarre High Class of 1950.

He earned a Bachelor's of Science from Wilmington College and a master's from New Mexico University. Richard was a teacher and head football coach for 23 years at Randolph, Stow, Kenmore, and North High Schools where he turned struggling programs into championship teams.

His outside interests included award-winning vegetable gardening, fruit trees, and hang gliding. 

Preceded in death by his parents and brother, Glenn, he is survived by his wife, Lillian, of 60 years, children Neil (Linda) Fortner, Sharon (Rick) Seitz, Lee (Sherry) Fortner, Dale (Debbie) Fortner, and Karen Fortner Boykin; 18 grandchildren, brother Ray (Nancy) Fortner, sister in-law Linda Fortner; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services were held Nov. 12 in Wadsworth. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to any FirstMerit Bank in the name of the Richard "Dick" Fortner Memorial fund to benefit area football programs.