Jonathan E. "Jon" Louden

Jonathan E. Louden, 81, of Rio Grande, Ohio died Thursday November 16, 2023.  Born February 12, 1942 in Painesville, Ohio, he moved to Rio Grande in 1973. Mr. Louden did his undergraduate work at Defiance College and his Masters of Library Science in Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was the director of the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Library in Gallipolis for 25 years. Upon retirement, he took over his dairy farm full-time. He also worked as a stacker at lumber companies.

Flowers and reading were his hobbies. He loved to read mysteries and the newspaper, whether in print or on his Kindle. He loved to tell his family stories, was a local history enthusiast, and was beloved by everyone he met. He loved his animals and they loved him, particularly his beloved indoor cats Millie and Sparkle. Dogs, cats, cows, even donkeys, they all easily warmed up to Mr. Louden.

“Jon” was pre-deceased by his parents, Eugene and Carol (Cook) Louden, his brother, William Eugene and sister, Orcelia Carol Louden. He is survived by his beloved wife, Beverly June (Yarnell) Louden, whom he married September 8, 1963 at Napoleon, Henry County, Ohio; their daughters, Amy Orcelia Louden of Shady Side, Maryland, Jennifer Jean and husband Norman Wilder of Independence, California, and Carol Elaine Louden of Kingston, Ohio; son, William Eugene Louden II and wife Patricia (Denson) of Mentor, Ohio; grandchildren, Allison Hope Wilder and wife Evelyn Lewis of Durango, Colorado, Autumn Leila Wilder of Jacksonville, Ohio and Allen Jonathan “A.J.” Wilder of Independence, California.

Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 21, 2023 in the McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Vinton, Ohio with Pastor Dan Lamphier officiating.  Burial will follow in the Ebenezer Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. The family is inviting all attendees to a luncheon following the burial at the Simpson Chapel Methodist Church, Lake Drive, Rio Grande, Ohio.

Because of his great love of animals, the family is requesting in lieu of floral arrangements you consider a donation to the Gallia County Animal Shelter, 186 Shawnee Lane, Gallipolis, Ohio 45631

Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.mccoymoore.com

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