Donald E. Hardy

Donald E. Hardy, Sr. age 74, of Holgate, died Monday evening, May 7, 2012 at Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center.

His Legacy… He was born June 24, 1937 to Arnold D. Miller and Edna Hardy in Toledo. He was adopted by his grandparents, Charles and Pearl Hardy. Don graciously served his country during the Korean Conflict. He joined the Army when he was 17 and had Paratrooper training at Fort Bening, GA, Army Ranger training at Camp Frank Merrill at Doonega, GA, Demotition training while at Fort Bening and Camp Merrill. He spent 1 year on the DMZ in Korea. On November 28, 1959 he married Shirley Ann Schwab in Angola, IN. He retired from GM Powertrain, Defiance. He was a member of the UAW 211, Alcoholics’ Anonymous, AMVETS, Defiance and a life member of the American Legion, Napoleon. Don volunteered much of his time. He helped Robert Romes with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He coached Little League, Farm League and Pony League and was an athletic Booster for years. In 1980 he donated the tiger that still hangs in the new gym at the Holgate High School. Don was an avid Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Buckeye fan. He was an EMT from 1975-1979. Don loved traveling on his Honda Goldwing motorcycle, and then health forced him to change to a Honda Trike. He loved his family but especially his 3 grandchildren, Adrew, Jake and Cameron, and his special companion, Mary Cate his Boxer.

His Family… Don is survived by his loving wife, Shirley of 52 years; his sons, Donald E. “Skip” (Sandy) Hardy Jr., Defiance, Arnold A. “Arnie” Hardy, Holgate; 3 grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by an infant son, Ronald Lee Hardy.