Cecil “Leo” Hardesty, 85, of rural Neoga, Illinois passed away Sunday morning, February 3, 2019, in Effingham County, Illinois.
He was born September 8, 1933, in Dudley, Missouri, the son of Alfred H. and Hazel D. (May) Hardesty. Leo married Helen Orr, November 12, 1955, in Neoga, Illinois, and Helen passed away on November 23, 2007.
He was a member of the St. Mary Of The Assumption Church, of Neoga, Illinois, St. Mary's Knights Of Columbus Council # 10366 of Neoga, Illinois, a member of the Votaw-Swank Post # 458 of Neoga, Illinois.
Leo enjoyed helping anyone he could and visiting with his family and friends. Mr. Hardesty was a retired employee of the former Young's Radiator Company of Mattoon, Illinois. He leaves five sons, Dave Hardesty (Tracey), Chuck Hardesty (special friend Marla), Don Hardesty (Mary) all of Neoga, Illinois, John Hardesty (Tammy) of Windsor, Illinois and Rick Hardesty (Angie) of Gainesboro, Tennesee; three daughters, Debbie Schumacher (Tony), Patti Hoedebecke (David) all of Neoga, Illinois and Vickie Richter (Ed) of Lerna, Illinois; three brothers, Jack Hardesty O.F.M. of Belleville, Illinois, Bill Hardesty (Karen), and Jim Hardesty (Debbie), all of Neoga, Illinois; two sisters, Dorothy Harl (Junior) of Windsor, Illinois and Mary Herring (John) of Neoga, Illinois; twenty-three grandchildren and thirty-three great-grandchildren. Leo was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen Hardesty and a half-sister, Florence Ossowski.
Memorials may be made to the Donor's Choice.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, February 7, 2019, in the St. Mary Of The Assumption Church of Neoga, Illinois the Rev. Father, Sunder Ery officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, February 6, 2019, with a Parish Service at 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, in the Swengel-O’Dell Funeral Home of Neoga, Illinois. Burial will be in the St. Patrick Cemetery in Trowbridge, Illinois with Military Services conducted by the Votaw-Swank Post # 458 of Neoga, Illinois.