The Rose Garden at Lakeview Park opened in May 1932 and was sponsored by several community organizations, including the Lorain Rotary. The shape of the garden, a wheel with eight spokes, is the Rotary Club emblem. In 2005, the garden was renovated to restore the historical grandeur and beauty while including updates to accommodate accessibility needs.

This page lists all Rose Garden donors and honorees for the past 5 years. Donations will be displayed on this page no later than 30 days after the donation has been completed. Please use the search bar below to search for specific donation entries.


In Memory of Charlotte Herstek

Donor: Scott Stewart

Donation date: August 2024


In Memory of Eileen R. Lindsay

Donor: Friends of Eileen R. Lindsay

Donation date: July 2024


In Loving Memory of Peggy J. Peters

Donors: Friends and Family of Peggy Peters

Donation date: April 2024


In Memory of Mary Knoble

Donors: The family and friends of Mary Knoble

Donation date: April 2024


In Memory of Charles E. Merrick

Donors: Diane and Jeff Nowak, Sydney and Conor Nowak, Debbie and David Bright, David Merrick, Henry Merrick, Ken and Joann Hemminger

Donation date: October 2023


In Memory of Claudia Cullin

Donor name: Lawrence Brown and Family

Donation date: September 2023


In Honor of Sherri L. Bennett

Donor name: Sherri Bennett

Donation date: March 2023


In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Louis C. Bennett

Donor name: Sherri Bennett

Donation date: February 2023


In Memory of John J. Gluvna

Donor name: Joanne Godlewski

Donation date: February 2023


In Memory of our wonderful aunt, Martha Milas

Donor name: Steve, Lauren, Camille, and Ian Samuelson

Donation date: February 2023


In Memory of Neil Sommers

Donor name: Lorain High School Class of 1966

Donation date: December 2022


In Memory of Terry J. Kish

Donor name: Monica and Terrance Tomaszewski

Donation date: November 2022


In Memory of Rita M. Raponi

Donor name: Lakeside 62 Condo Community

Donation date: June 2022


In Memory of Virginia Light Krieg

Donor name: Linda G. Gordon

Donation date: February 2022


In honor of the Lorain High School Class of 1967

Donor name: Lorain High School class of 1967

Donation date: December 2021


In memory of Rebecca Biehler

Donor name: Robert Biehler

Donation date: December 2021


In honor of John A. and Eva L. Costin

Donor name: Dr. and Mrs. John A. Costin

Donation date: December 2021


In loving memory of our beloved grandmother, Colleen Standen

Donor name: The grandchildren of Wayne and Colleen Standen

Donation date: December 2021


In memory of Jane Davidson Mearns and Louis Horkay, Jr.

Donor name: The children of Jane and Louis Horkay - Beth (Dan) Fritz (Paul, Chris, Carrie), Lois (Doug) Unger (Blanton, Mattie), Margaret (Walter) Boswell, Robert (Tammie) Horkay (Chad, Adam, Emily, Neil), Mary (Harold) Hight (Amanda, Allison)

Donation date: December 2021

Jane Davidson Mearns born Greenock, Scotland (1916-2020) immigrated at age 7

Louis Horkay, Jr. born Tiszadob, Hungary (1909-2002) immigrated age 8 months


In honor of Rebecca "Becky" Biehler

A gift from your sister and brother-in-law!”

Donor name: Annette Biehler & Aaron Treadway

Donation date: September 2021


In memory of Janice and Gary Huntley

“Our mother enjoyed going to Lakeview Park while growing up in Lorain. Our father enjoyed spending many summer days out on the lake fishing and swimming. After getting married our parents made many trips to Lakeview to enjoy the lake and each other's company.”

Donor name: Rachel & Michael Huntley and Lisa & Matthew Huntley

Donation date: August 2021


In memory of our wonderful loving mom, Mary Campana who passed, age 94 in May 2021

Donor name: Family of Mary Campana

Donation date: July 2021


In memory of Terry and Alma Feeley

Donor name: Ellerbrock Family

Donation date: July 2021


In memory of Gail Bara Hurt

Donor name: Joan Bara Brown

Donation date: July 2021


In memory of Alma (Knipper) Feeley and her husband, Terry, the beloved parents of Nancy Feeley and her siblings

“May the beautiful views bring comfort and fond memories of the time shared together at the lake.”

Donor name: Friends and Co-workers of Nancy Feeley

Donation date: July 2021


In memory of Rosemary M. Carrero

Donor name: Anna M. Carrero

Donation date: June 2021


In loving memory of Lila Sprague McGinnis: author, poet, mentor, and friend

Donor name: Lila's Friday Writers

Donation date: April 2021


In memory of Santos Droz

“On angel wings, you were taken away. But in our hearts, you will always stay. You were more than our dad but our best friend and our hero. We love you dad!”

Donor name: Veronica Ward

Donation date: March 2021


In memory of Beth Mitro Gonosey

Donor name: Lorrie Chmura, Anne Bruno, Sue Pagrabs, and Denise Lazzaro

Donation date: March 2021


In memory of Jack B. Barthels

Donor name: Jane Barthels

Donation date: March 2021


In memory of Dr. Thomas Timko

Donor name: Anita & Hector Guzman; Laurel & Bob Vigg; Becky & Roger Farr

Donation date: March 2021


In memory of Angie Hammond

Donor name: Rodney Bowling

Donation date: March 2021


In memory of Susan Raible

Donor name: Carrie Lucas

Donation date: October 2020


In memory of our friend, Jim Sweat

Donation date: August 2020


In memory of Dee Ann Volak

Donor name: The classmates of Dee Ann Volak from Lorain High School, 1980

Donation date: August 2020


In memory of Gladys Jungbluth Wisnieski (1928 - 2019)

“A true nature lover of birds and flowers, "Gramma Gramcracker" spent her life in Sheffield. Despite being terrified of water, she would bring her grandkids to Lakeview Park to picnic and play in the sand. She fully supported the renovation of the gardens and loved the colors and scents. Here she is on her last visit in 2017.”

Donor name: Her loving grandchildren (David, Erica & Chad Boone, Jessica Rodriguez, Sarah Rodriguez Roche, Ryan & Lauren Essex)

Donation date: July 2020


In memory of Antoinette Zinitz

“God’s Gift

What we are is
God’s gift to us
What we become
is our gift to God”

Donor name: Laverne and William Hunady

Donation date: June 2020


In memory of Frank V. Radachi

Donor name: Denise Gross

Donation date: May 2020


In memory of Maureen Campo

“As beautiful and gentle as a rose; you and your memories, always!”

Donor name: Krag and Bobbie Churchill

Donation date: February 2020


In honor of John and Jenny Gregory

“Like these roses, may the freshness of your love remain.
Happy Anniversary
Feb. 14, 2020”

Donor name: Dave and Karen Ennes

Donation date: February 2020


In memory of Adelia Josephine (Miraldi) Harsar (1928-2019)

Donor name: Friends of the Harsar Family

Donation date: June 2019


In Loving Memory of Florence S. Merrick

Donor name: Charles, David, & Henry Merrick; Ken & Joann Hemminger; Diane, Jeff, Sydney, & Conor Nowak; Debbie & David Bright

Donation date: May 2019


In Memory of Dale & June Hahn

Donor name: Lori Haupt

Donation date: May 2019


In Memory of Joan Rush Pirc

Donor name: Shari, Tony, Susan, Joni, Jim, & Jessica Kuznar

Donation date: May 2019


In Memory of Patricia Pirc Hellinger

Donor name: Shari, Tony, Susan, Joni, Jim, & Jessica Kuznar

Donation date: May 2019


In Loving Memory of Diana Lee Hreha (12/15/1963-04/25/2018)

“Even though you've beeen gone for a while fond memories of you still make me smile. We will cherish forever the good times we shared, just hope you know how very much we cared. Such a privilege to have known you, no one can deny, until we meet again, we love you, we miss you, and for now Good-Bye. Your wings were ready but we were not...you'll be with us forever like handprints on our hearts.”

Donor name: Tracy, Mike & Ashley

Donation date: April 2019


In Memory of Theresa Hruby

Donor name: Cookie McLoda

Donation date: April 2019


In Honor of Admiral King Class of '66

Donor name: Admiral King Class of '66

Donation date: November 2018


In Memory of John & Rose Zahratka

Donor name: Cynthia Zahratka

Donation date: November 2018


In Memory of Greg Barr

Donor name: Patti Barr

Donation date: October 2018


In memory of Ernest "Ernie" E. Johnson Sr.

“Ernie was retired from the Ford Motor Company, Lorain Assembly, where he was an inspector. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, cooking, and most of all, spending time with his family.”

Donor name: Debbie Bishop

Donation date: September 2018


In memory of Margaret Czarneski

Donor name: Marguerite Daidone

Donation date: September 2018


In memory of Pamela Kish

Donor name: Marguerite Daidone

Donation date: September 2018


In memory of Kirk B. Roose

“Roose was born in New Haven, CT and spent much of his childhood in Oberlin. He attended Swarthmore College- where he played varsity tennis and met Diana Wickes, who would become his wife of 49 years- the University of Pennsylvania Law School. In 1980 after a stint on the East Coast, they returned to Oberlin, where he started his own law practice, specializing in Social Security disability law. That firm now known as Roose & Reeler, has helped thousands of disabled Ohioans receive SS benefits.

While a Jr. in H.S. in Oberlin he was recruited into a barbershop quartet, who called themselves the Barbersharps. A chord was struck, and barbershop harmony became a hobby. He sang in numerous quartets, directed award winning choruses-including Carnegie Hall as director of the Big Apple Chorus- arranged hundreds of songs which are still sung by groups all over the world.

A member of the religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Roose remained politically active thoughout his life, with special concern for issues of social and economic justice. Early in his career, he worked for Ralph Nader's Center for Study of Responsive Law, as a lawyer for the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors and an attorney for the Fair Share Housing Center in Cherry Hill, NJ.

He enjoyed playing tennis and walking along the shores of Lake Erie.”

Donor name: Law Offices of Roose & Ressler

Donation date: July 2018


In memory of Joanne Getz Popovich

“In her time her Joanne was a beautiful embodiment of human kindness who will be missed greatly and remembered always!”

Donor name: Fran Smith; Peg Asensio; Dolores Kovach; Mary Ellen Guerrieri

Donation date: July 2018


In memory of John Joseph Tomaro Sr.

“Our dad was a loving, supportive father who left this life way too early at the age of 37. He will always be remembered for his love of family, friends, and animals, his sense of humor, and how he loved to agitate everyone. He left behind a beautiful, loving wife, Lillian Mae, and their six children, John Joseph Jr., Janice Lynn, Joann, Joyce Rose, Judy Mae, and Jeanette Pearl. He is missed every day by all who knew and loved him. He is now in heaven with mom, and Janice (Tomaro) Eddy.”

Donor name: Jeanette Eberle

Donation date: March 2018


In memory of Jean Zakutny

Donor name: Zakutny Family

Donation date: February 2018


In memory of Mario Mannarelli

Donor name: Julie Mannarelli

Donation date: February 2018


In memory of Carol Kern

Donor name: Kimberly Moldovan

Donation date: February 2018