Richard “Dick” L. Hardy

PROTECTED CONTENT

If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.

Username

Password

Login

Lost your password?

Username and Password Help

Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.

Email

Submit

← Back

Richard “Dick” L. Hardy, 84, Philadelphia, Mo., passed away at 9:57 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, at Hannibal Regional Hospital in Hannibal, Mo.

Dick was born July 25, 1939, in Camp Point, Ill., to Everett and Hazel Todd Hardy. Dick was previously married to Marlys Neil Hardy, and she survives. He was then married to Judy Taylor on Dec. 31, 1988, in Hannibal.

Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Judy Hardy; children, Cindy Baxter (Dave), Macomb, Ill.; Bev Wellman (Frank), Quincy, Ill.; Todd Hardy (Jina), Basco, Ill.; step-daughter, Crystal McGee (Mike), Keokuk, Iowa; brother, Gerald Hardy (Carol), Ursa, Ill.; grandchildren, Kristin Keefe (Adam), Jenna Casteel (J.R.), Frankie Wellman (Christy), Craig Wellman (Megan), Terra Dannehold (Justin), Austin Hardy (Kirsti), Andrew Hardy (Shelby), Austin McGee, Taylor McGee, Keelin McGee and Pyper McGee; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Johnny Keefe, J.D. and Jayleigh Casteel, Addie and Alaina Wellman, Payton and Aubrey Wellman, Myla and Hudson Dannehold, and Chloe and Lincoln McGee; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Hazel Hardy; and one brother, Max Hardy.

Professionally Dick worked as a mechanic for Rod Smith Chevrolet before striking out on his own to start Hardy Sales and Service, and later working for a time for Gully Transportation in Quincy, Thompson Trucking, Hayden Construction, and Bunge.  

Over the years, Dick also enjoyed working on taxidermy projects. 

Dick was a man of the outdoors, He relished every chance to enjoy his time deer and turkey hunting, fishing and especially duck and goose hunting with his friends and beloved dogs, Candy, Dude, and Sadie. He loved everything about the experience, a cool crisp morning, time with friends, and the thrill of the hunt. 

His family have so many great stories to be told of Dick’s adventures, like his “special” biscuits and gravy he would make while hunting and his favorite exploits with the dogs. 

Dick and his wife looked forward to new trips, visiting Florida, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. 

He was a master on the grill,  liked to have fun and joke around but had a serious love for those close to him. When kicking back at home he could be found with his house dog, Teddy, watching a Nascar race, the Kansas City Chiefs play, or a good old fashioned Western movie.

A funeral ceremony will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra. Pastor Dewayne Larenson will officiate. Burial will be at the Philadelphia Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Frankie Wellman, Craig Wellman, Austin Hardy, Andrew Hardy, Adam Keefe, J.R. Casteel, Justin Dannehold and Austin McGee. 

Friends and family are invited to Dick’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra.

Memorials may be made to the North Adams Ducks Unlimited Illinois chapter 159.

Online condolences may be shared and video tribute may be viewed at www.LewisBrothersFuneralChapel.com.