Leonard Y. Hardy, 95, of Carthage, passed away at 3:33AM, Wednesday November 8, 2023, at
Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL.
Leonard was born November 2, 1928, the son of Glenn and Eva (Yetter) Hardy in Carthage,
Illinois. He attended Elvaston High School, graduating in 1946. He went on to attend Blackburn
College and then the University of Illinois where he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in
Agricultural Engineering. Following college, Leonard enlisted in the United States Army and
attended Engineer Officer Candidate School at Fort Belvoir Virginia. He was honored as Top
Graduate and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Leonard served as an Expeditionary
Engineer Officer during the Korean War. His most significant duty was overseeing the
construction of an airstrip in Korea. He received a Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star,
a United Nations Service Medal, and a National Defense Service Medal.
Leonard was united in marriage to Audrey Damelio in Washington, New Jersey in August
18,1956 and they had four children, Pam, Jim, Rich and Jennifer. They later separated. On
September 18, 1988, he was united in marriage to Beth Stoneman in Marine, Illinois. Leonard
was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Carthage serving as the church
treasurer for many years. He also helped at the WCAZ radio station in Carthage and was a
long-time board member at the Kibbe Museum. He was an excellent woodworker and enjoyed
his various coffee clubs over the years. Leonard was a lifelong farmer.
Leonard is survived by his wife, Beth, of Carthage; four children, Pam (Mark) Schieffer of
Carthage, Jim (Vicki) Hardy of Carthage, Rich (Suzanne) Hardy of Milpitas, CA and Jennifer
(David) Kelley of Ozark, MO; step-children, Jerri (Chuck) Koeber of Wichita, KS and Mark
Steadman of Coburg, OR; grandchildren, Kit Kelly, Kirstin (Billy) Cramer, Madison Settles,
Brooke Flesner, Nathaniel (Tiffany) Hardy, Taylor Hardy, Alex Hardy, Emily Hardy, Andrew
(Grace) Kelley, Katherine (CPT Donald L) Tanner, Kameron Koeber, Kierra Koeber, Max and
Jack Steadman; fourteen great grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and cousins. He was
preceded by his parents; and one brother, Neil Hardy. Funeral services will be held at 10:00
AM, Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the United Methodist Church in Carthage with burial to
follow in Moss Ridge Cemetery in Carthage with military rites rendered by the U.S. Army Honor
Guard and the Hancock County Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Friday
evening, November 17, 2023, at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage. In Lieu of flowers, memorials
may be directed to U.M.C.O.R. (United Methodist’s Committee on Relief). Printy Funeral Home
in Carthage is in charge of arrangements.