Ronald Edwin Hardy

Ronald Edwin Hardy, 81, of Sullivan, MO passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, in his hometown of Sullivan.  Born on June 30, 1942 to Harry Edwin and Beulah (Bouse) Hardy, Ron was a cherished member of the Sullivan community, a place he called home throughout his life.

Ron grew up and attended schools in Sullivan and was a proud graduate of Sullivan High School, class of 1960. After graduating, Ron began his career working at Nieman Tool and Die, where he honed his skills before finding his lifelong vocation at Husky Corporation in Pacific, Missouri. As a skilled machinist, Ron dedicated many years of service before retiring in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and precision.

Ron's personal life was filled with love and commitment. He married Donita Byers, and together they were blessed with two sons, Mark and Matt. The loss of Donita was a profound one, but Ron found love again and married Sally Board on April 17, 1993. Their blended family grew with the addition of Sally's daughter, Kelly, and later, the birth of their son, Clay. Ron's role as a husband and father was one he cherished deeply, and the family bonds he nurtured were a testament to his loving nature.

A man of faith, Ron was a long-time member of Temple Baptist Church of Sullivan and he found great joy in attending the Wednesday morning Men's Bible Study group. His church community was an extension of his family, and he valued the fellowship and spiritual growth that came from his involvement.

Ron’s passions were many, but none more so than his love for sports.  A St. Louis Cardinals fan, he rarely missed a game, enjoying the thrills of baseball from the comfort of his home, where he loved discussing the game with friends over the phone.  He loved to play fast pitch baseball and also played basketball where he was in the Industrial League.  He enjoyed watching his sons and grandchildren play various sports and for a time was a baseball and basketball coach for his older sons. In 1964, along with lifelong friend Randy, he attended the game in which the Cardinals won the pennant. Ron also loved to go camping and fishing.  He loved planting flowers in the springtime.  He enjoyed traveling with Sally and her parents to different states across America and family vacations to Branson were his favorite.  He enjoyed summer evenings spent on Jim and Freda’s front porch laughing and watching the kids play.  He loved going out to dinner on Friday nights and meeting friends for breakfast at McDonald’s. Ron had many pets over the years and loved them all dearly. He enjoyed taking his dogs on walks around the neighborhood and you would often find Ron asleep in his chair with an old cat curled up in his lap.

Family gatherings were the highlight of Ron's life, where he could be found surrounded by loved ones, sharing stories and laughter. His friendship with Randy was special, sometimes after their evening walk they would reward themselves by walking through the drive thru at Lion’s Choice for an ice cream cone. These simple pleasures were the foundation of a life well-lived, full of contentment and camaraderie.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Sally; his sons:  Mark Hardy and wife, Melanie of Sullivan, Matt Hardy and wife, Jill of Stanton, MO, and Clay Hardy of Sullivan; his daughter, Kelly Goodman and husband Jeff of Bourbon, MO; 8 grandchildren:  Marcus Hardy, Alexa Hardy, Ethan Taylor, Blake Hardy, Dylan Tyree and significant other, Siara Britton, Gavin Hardy, Jaclyn (Goodman) Brown and husband Hobie, and Brenden Goodman; 5 great-grandchildren:  Kacelyn, Adler, Harlow, Christian & Greyson; his sister, Doris Jean Spoon and husband, David of Bourbon, MO; a sister-in-law, Faye Hicks and husband, “JD” of Sullivan; a brother-in-law, Tim Board of Bourbon, MO; his Best Friend “Like a brother”, Randy Bacon and wife, Doris of Sullivan; Good Friend and co-worker, Jack Cuneio and wife, Ann of Sullivan; Donita’s extended family that includes: three sisters-in-law, Jenny Livell and her husband, Jack of Herman, MO, Francis Horton of Manchester, MO,  and Janet Byers of Sullivan, MO; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Donita, his parents, Harry & Beulah Hardy; Donita’s parents, John and Burene (Horton) Byers; brothers-in-law, Gary and Larry Byers; and Sally’s parents, Jim and Freda Board.

Services will be 12 PM Noon, Thursday, December 14, 2023 at Temple Baptist Church in Sullivan with Pastor Scott Perry officiating.  Cremation has taken place and private inurnment will be at I.O.O.F Cemetery following the service.

Visitation will be 10:00 AM to 12 PM Noon, Thursday, December 14, 2023 at Temple Baptist Church prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ron’s memory to the Lasting Legacy Building Fund of Temple Baptist Church and/or HALO.

Friends may share condolences online with Ron’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan, MO.