Edward Gardner took a risk when, almost 40, he left his career in education to start Chicago-based Soft Sheen Products.
Gardner, 98, died at his home in the South Side West Chesterfield neighborhood March 20 after a long illness, said his daughter, Terri.Born in Chicago, Gardner grew up in West Chesterfield and graduated from Fenger Academy High School. He served in the Army during World War II, rising to the rank of sergeant, his daughter said.
Gardner eventually turned over leadership of the company to Terri and his son Guy. In 1998, with Soft Sheen generating about $95 million a year in sales, the company was sold to L’Oreal,