John H. Fender

John H. Fender, 91, died Friday, September 9th, 2026, at the Danbury assisted-living facility in Hudson, OH. He was born in Warren, OH on May 8, 1935, and resided there until he graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in 1953. He then attended Ohio University where he played baseball for the Bobcats graduating in 1957. He enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany from 1957 to 1959. He returned to Warren, OH and while teaching and coaching at East Turner Jr High School, he received a master’s degree in education administration from Westminster College in 1963. In 1968 he became assistant principal at Turner. In 1970, he was hired as the principal of Davey Jr High School in Kent and served there as the principal until he retired in 1994. Thereafter, he volunteered as a school tutor and worked with student teachers as a supervisor at Kent State University, and in 1997, he was elected mayor of Kent and served three terms as the mayor until 2010.

John and his wife, Jane R. Fender, raised three children. He was an avid runner much of his life, and he enjoyed playing tennis with his wife and friends. He also enjoyed traveling abroad with his wife and friends in the summers and in Florida during the winters. He especially enjoyed spending time with the many dear friends and acquaintances he and his wife made in Kent over the years. He was also a devoted sports fan and enjoyed watching KSU sports, the Browns, the Guardians/Indians, and the Cavaliers.

John was preceded in death by his wife Jane, his daughter Elizabeth Kaufman, his parents John and Ina Fender, and his sister Nancy Nangle.

John leaves behind his son Michael Fender, his daughter-in-law Jodi Fender and grandchildren Nathan and Katelyn Fender who all reside in Long Beach CA; his other son Rich Fender of Marion, OH; and his younger brother, Charles Fender.

In honoring his wishes, John will be cremated and a private family service will be held at a later date.

Cremation services in the care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.