David H Hardin

Born December 20, 1944 in Pekin to Howard and Alice L. (Rocker) Hardin. He married Phyllis Short in 1966 and she would become the mother of his children. Then on July 16, 1984, he married “the love of his life” Wendy Joann Bilyeu at the Chapel of the Transfiguration in Grand Teton National Park, Moose, Wyoming. She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Sherry R. Dudley (and Jeffrey A. Mucciante) of Pekin; one son, Jeffrey H. Hardin of Pekin; one granddaughter, Ashley A. Dudley (and fiancée Denny Cassidy) of North Pekin; one grandson, Anthony D. Mucciante of Pekin; one brother, Darold L. (and Alona) Hardin of Manito; three sisters, Dawn L. Hardin (and the late Jim Bruns) of Green Valley, Debra L. Jamieson and Dana L. Hardin, both of Pekin; one brother-in-law Marc R. Bilyeu of Davenport, Iowa; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Also surviving is his friend and former wife, Phyllis (and Mike) Buck of The Woodlands, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

David served in the United States Air Force, Air National Guard branch for almost 30 years, retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1995. Concurrently, he was also employed in the National Guard Technician Program as an Aircraft Ordnance Systems Mechanic at the Peoria and Springfield Air National Guard bases for 28 years. He had previously worked at Keystone Steel & Wire in Bartonville.

His passions in life were his family, bass fishing, photography, RV travel, and woodworking. For 32 years Dave & his family traveled throughout North America to hike & photograph natural wonders in the US & Canada, especially loving the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Early spring and late fall would often find him fishing the lakes of southern Illinois, always searching for that trophy bass. When at home, he loved working with his hands; making home improvements, building furniture, decorating, landscaping, car customizing, and much more. It seemed like there was nothing he couldn’t master if he set his mind to do it.

But most of all, David loved his family: “He dreams, he plans, he struggles that we might have the best. His sacrifice is quiet...his life is love expressed.”

David fought a short, but courageous battle with cancer. He was so thankful for the encouragements from family, friends, and neighbors during this difficult time. His family is also grateful for the loving care received from the doctors and staff at OSF St. Frances hospital and the hospice home.

His memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 11, 2014at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded at the conclusion of the visitation by the United States Air Force. Following the visitation, friends are welcome to join the family at Avanti’s of Pekin at 3610 Kelly Avenue for a celebration of life dinner.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions to the Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554 or to the 1700 Oncology Department at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Ave. Peoria, IL 61637.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com