Frank Hardesty Passing

Lost a good racing buddy in Frank Hardesty. Frank was running a push truck this year and is the grand father of Logan who works at the race track. God speed frank Lima Frank Hardesty, 69, died at 10:40 p.m. July 4, 2011, at Community Health Professionals Impatient Hospice Center, Van Wert. He was born Feb. 27, 1942, in Lima to Earl Franklin and Violet Bushong Hardesty Gratz, who preceded him in death. Mr. Hardesty was owner/operator of Frank's Auto Service from 1971 to 1981. From 1981 to 1991, he was an instructor in auto/diesel at the University of Northwestern Ohio. From 1995 until he retired in 2010, he was wrecking yard manager at Kenny's Auto Wrecking. He was a former member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and was a member of several local trapshooting clubs. Along with his son and grandson, he enjoyed go-karting in Cridersville, Waynesfield and other cities around the state. He was a faithful fan of Limaland and Waynesfield Race Track, attending weekly. Survivors include two sons, Michael L. “Mike” (Tracy) Hardesty, of Lima, and Bradley D. Hardesty, of Costa Mesa, Calif.; three daughters, Sherri L. (Mike) Sloan, of Lima, Michelle R. Hardesty, of Lima, and Tracy E. (Byron) Phillips, of Lima; eight grandchildren, Justin M. Hardesty, Logan A. Hardesty, Roger “RJ” (Amber Baum) McFaddin, Jessica L. McFaddin, Tiffany L. Sloan and Megan N. Sloan, all of Lima, and Jeffery Green and Kimberly Green, of Kentucky; two great-grandchildren, Hailey N. Jacobs and Lily M. McFaddin, both of Lima; and a brother, Roger F. (Joan) Hardesty, of Lima. He was preceded in death by a stepfather, Russell E. Gratz. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice Center, 1155 Westwood Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com