James R. Hardesty

Hamlet - James Russell Hardesty, 92, died Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 5:40 a.m. at the Catherine Kasper Life Center, Donaldson, IN. James was born at Hamlet, IN on January 29, 1922, the son of Raymond Earl and Anna (Luken) Hardesty. He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Donald (Elizabeth) Hardesty. He is survived by his niece, Joan Hardesty of Fairbanks, AK; his nephew, Charles (Julie) Hardesty of Findlay, OH; his niece, Sally Hardesty of Pensacola, FL; his grand-nephew, Kevin Kassel of Fairbanks, AK; and grand-nieces, Kasey (Justin) Friesner and Mallorie Hardesty, all of Columbus, OH and Margaret Hardesty of Findlay, OH. James graduated from Hamlet High School in 1939, Purdue University in 1942, and served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the European Theater in World War II. James was a lifelong farmer on the 1895 Hardesty Family Farm near Hamlet, IN. James was a member of the Purdue University Presidents Council, the John Purdue Club, and Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity of Purdue. He was a member of the Hamlet United Methodist Church, the Hamlet Lions Club, the Hamlet American Legion Post #356, a former 4-H leader, served as the Director of the Starke County Historical Society, the Director of the Starke County Scholarship Committee, a member of the WNIT Directors Circle, the Northern Indiana Community Fund Board, the Starke County Scholarship Fund, the Starke County Farm Bureau, Indiana Farm Bureau Co-op Board Trustee, the IFBCA Director District 1, the Davis Township Advising Board, was a Director of the Hamlet State Bank, (later 1st Source Bank of Starke County), and the Ancilla College Board of Trustees. Awards received by James Hardesty during his lifetime included the Henry F. Schricker Service Award and the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Ancilla College. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time at the Hamlet United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Fletcher Cemetery, Hamlet where military graveside services will be conducted. Friends may call Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel and Saturday at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be given to the Hamlet United Methodist Church, the Starke County Community Foundation or the Ancilla Fund.

James R. Hardesty

January 29, 1922 - May 24, 2014