Dr. Warner D. Mendenhall Jr.

Dr. Warner D. Mendenhall, Jr, passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at Kent Ridge Senior Living. He was born in Savannah, GA in the depression, on February 13, 1934. He grew up in Orlando, FL. President Roosevelt’s fireside chats were an early and important influence, as well as his lifetime inspiration, Gahandi.

A graduate of Orlando Senior High School, Warner’s interests were the National Forensic League and Thespians, receiving the State of Florida Extemporaneous Speaking Championship. Warner chose Davidson College in Davidson, NC for undergraduate work, for a Bachelor of Science degree. To enable his education, Warner built homes and worked various campus jobs, such as photographer. Upon graduation, he attended Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA. He engaged in several entrepreneurial projects, including a beach recreational property, before being drafted to teach High School Science, which led to a Principal position.

In 1957-1958, he completed his military obligation in the United States Army at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. He then attended Duke University for a master’s in political science. There he met Carol Carson, the mother of his four children.

Upon graduation, Warner accepted a position at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. He was Dean of Men when he explored further higher education at Kent State University, eventually moving to Canton, OH and becoming Director of Academic Affairs for the Stark County Regional Campus of Kent State. During this time the May 4th event occurred which changed his course again. He was instrumental in the expansion of the University of Akron to a rural setting in Wayne County. While there he completed his Political Science PhD and began his pursuit toward a Psychology PhD with a specific interest in Addictive Disease. Wayne County judges requested that Warner create a treatment/intervention program for people arrested for DUI, which was one of the earliest models of intervention in Ohio which brought healthier ways of thinking to many families. At this same time, he began teaching in the Rutgers Summer School of Alcohol Studies and published a book called “Co-dependency: Issues in Treatment”, used by many universities in alcohol study programs.

In addition to teaching Political Science and Psychology courses for 26 years at Wayne College, he established a clinical practice, specializing in Addictive Disease and Co-dependency for over 30 years as a quiet soldier in the quest for better quality of life for everyone he was privileged to work with. He maintained 40 years of grateful sobriety.

Warner met his wife Judy (Lepley), whom he married in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1994. Upon retiring from the University of Akron as Emeritus Professor in 1998, Warner and Judy traveled to world locations, sometimes staying in one place for three months at a time, and continued to love world travel for many years. Warner was approached by a neighbor who asked him to run for Mayor of Silver Lake, where they resided. He and Judy retired to Kent in 2006. He joined the Kent United Church of Christ, eventually becoming a Moderator.

Warner enjoyed sailing/racing, skiing, scuba diving, working out, supporting political candidates and causes that were important to him, his family and long walks with Judy. He was an avid Cleveland sports fan and an animal lover.

Warner is survived by his loving wife Judy Mendenhall aka “Precious”; four children, Warner III (Kelly), David, Blair (Lisa) and Mary (Oliver); two stepchildren, Kim Manning and Beth Manning; grandchildren, Britney (Tony), Taj (Cassie), Alex, Thomas, David, Katie, Lilly, Benjamin and Gabriella; great grandchildren, Sloan, Leo, Sophia and Baby Boy.

The family would like to thank Traditions Hospice for their professional and loving care and the excellent staff at Kent Ridge as well as friends and neighbors who helped so much during his final chapter.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 10:00AM at Kent United Church of Christ, 1400 E. Main St. Kent, OH 44240, with Pastor Amy Gopp officiating.

Memorial donations may be made, in his name, to Kent United Church of Christ.

Services in the care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.