Loren Border
Loren E. Border, 98, of Heath, Ohio, passed away at 11:55 PM on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at The Inn at Chapel Grove.
Loren was born July 28, 1927, in Zanesville, Ohio, the son of the late Charles Border and Mildred (Dailey) Border. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and, after his honorable discharge in 1945, joined the Marine Corps Reserve. He continued his service with the Fourth Marine Corps District until his honorable discharge in 1950.
Following his military service, Loren attended the Cincinnati College of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music. He played trumpet and toured with several well-known bands, enjoying life as a traveling musician before returning to Zanesville to settle down. He worked as a machinist at Armco Steel Company and pursued further education, earning certificates in practical and advanced mathematics and blueprint reading.
Loren’s skills and love of construction led him to build his own home and later to enter the restaurant business. He built and operated one of Zanesville’s first drive-in fast-food restaurants, a Frostop Root Beer franchise. After recognizing changing market conditions, he closed the drive-in, built a new building, and opened a full-service family restaurant called the Fountain Room. Loren balanced his restaurant endeavors with full-time work at Armco for many years before the family moved to Columbus, where he worked for Anheuser-Busch. He continued working on home projects, including a distinctive Roman Ruins Garden that became a neighborhood landmark.
After the passing of his beloved wife, Loren retired and relocated to the Cape Coral and Fort Myers area of Florida. Illness later brought him back to Ohio to be near family.
Loren is survived by his stepson, David (Janice) Fluharty; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his sister, Wanda Fox; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances R. Abella Border; two stepchildren, Delores “Dee” Fluharty and Carl Thomas “Tom” Fluharty; and three brothers, Aaron Border, Pete Border, and Bill Border.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Loren’s name to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Rd SE, Newark, Ohio 43055.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Resurrection Cemetery, 9571 High St., Lewis Center, Ohio 43035. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Bryan & Hardwick Funeral Home, 2318 Maple Ave., Zanesville. To share memories and condolences with the family, please visit www.BryanHardwickFH.com.
