Legendary Leopards Coach John Rill Gone But Never Forgotten

John Rill Louisville Leopards Football & Wrestling Coaching Championships

Louisville lost a legend Tuesday when longtime Teacher, Coach, and Friend John Rill passed away at the age of 70. Rill Beatty's White Leopards Hatcoached the Leopards Freshman Team to 16 league championship and the Leopards Middle School Wrestling Team to 10 league championships.

The news of his passing went viral on Social Media Wednesday showing just a few of the many lives he touched. Below is a comment from his wife Shirley Linhart Rill:

We thank all those wonderful comments about my husband and our father, John Rill. I was not aware of this site or I would have posted some updates on him over the last 22 months. Cleveland Clinic & UPMC both sent him home in fall of 2014 with 6 months to a year but with the wonderful care at Hope Chemo center in Boardman this has been his 22nd month and he made it this far with the power of prayer.

John and Shirley had been married since August 1974. She recalls their first week of marriage together:

We were married in August 1974 and Coach Starkey let us have a week for a honeymoon before starting football practice.

Rill was at Louisville from 1974-2007 when he retired. He coached football for 40 years and both Track & Field and Wrestling for another 32 years. He also served as the Middle School Athletic Director and was a Gym Teacher.

Funeral Services will be conducted at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 3295 S. Union Ave. in Alliance (corner of 183 and Beech Street). Calling Hours will be from 1:00-5:00 PM on Sunday and also 1 hour prior to the service which will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday. There will be a dinner following the service in the fellowship hall and a slideshow of memories for Mr. Rill.

A banner honoring him hangs at Louisville Middle School reading “John Rill Forever the Foundation of our Tradition.” Leopard Nation has truly lost a great man.

Order Leopard Nation Highlight Video

Don’t forget to Subscribe to Our Posts for Free

Order Individual Player Highlight Video

You may also like...