ALLEGANY, N.Y. — Jonathan Michael “Whitey” Ard, 39, a resident of Allegany for the past five years, passed away Thursday (June 18, 2026) at his home.

Jonathan was born Aug. 29, 1986, in Olean and was the son of Edward L. Cook and Barbara Ann Myers Cook. On April 20, 2021, in Allegany, he married Jessica Dutton Ard, who survives.

He attended schools in Olean and later moved to Bradford where he attended Bradford High School. He was a skilled laborer and entrepreneur and was great at landscaping. In recent years on Birch Run Road he operated a chicken farm, which he discovered was one of the more pleasurable jobs he ever had.

He had a passion for many things, with his love of the Pittsburgh Steelers being among them. He also loved the outdoors, including camping, hiking, snowboarding and more. Whatever he did, it was with huge amounts of energy and as anyone would say about him, he always put others first. He was creatively funny. His greatest joy came from being anywhere his family was.

Jonathan will be loved and missed by friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Jessica, of Allegany and his mother of Allegany. He dearly loved his four children, Noah Ard in Kentucky, Arianna Brooks of Portville, Hunter Dutton of Allegany and Ocean Ard of Allegany. He often expressed that he wanted to be more of a presence to his children than he was able to be. He is also survived by four sisters and a brother, Jennifer Ard of Columbus, Ohio, Jennifer (Andy) Baldwin of Bradford, Pa., Anna (Jaleesa) Ard-Sledge of Olean, Johnathan Cook of Bradford and Holly (Edwin) Wiley of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 16 nieces and nephews; nine cousins; three uncles; two aunts; and his parents-in-law, Wayne Dutton and Wilma Chestnut of Allegany.

He was predeceased by his father, Edward; his maternal grandmother, Gail Myers; and his maternal grandfather, William Myers.

The family will hold a celebration of life service at a future date to be announced. As we think of Jonathan “Whitey” Ard, we think of laughter, energy, family and GO STEELERS! A memorial donation suggestion is to “Dudes for Dads,” https://dudes-for-dads.org/#donate, as helping protect kids was important to him.

Arrangements are with Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.