Donald Edwin Hardin, born March 4, 1937, in Cairo, IL, died on January 23, 2024. He was a long-time resident of Glendale, MO and spent his later years in Bland, MO. In 1961 he married Phyllis Hall (deceased) and in 1964 they were blessed with a son, Stephen Hardin. Don proudly served his country as a member of the Army National Guard of Missouri and in active-duty service with the Army National Guard of the United States at Fort Campbell, KY. He also travelled the country as a truck driver and ran his own construction business. In retirement Don spent his time collecting diecast cars, hobby furniture building, and sharing his passion of all things John Deere. He loved sharing stories of his many adventures including time farming in his youth and driving cars and motorcycles throughout the US.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, James and Grethel Hardin, seven brothers, one sister, and his son, Steve. He is survived by his siblings, Gordon and Ruth, his beloved grandson Elliot, and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to extend gratitude to his many friends in Bland, MO for their companionship, love, and care over the years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Research Hospital or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 29th from 11-12 at Kutis Funeral Home, 10151 Gravois Road St. Louis, MO 63123. with Memorial Service at 12 noon. Interment to follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Don was such a good guy. I always enjoyed talking to him when I went to Granny’s Cafe in Bland. He will be missed!
So very sorry for your family’s loss. Don was a really nice guy and he will be missed by all his Bland friends.
Sheryl & Art Newman
Don was a great and will be sadly missed by everyone. Spent many of times talking with him. Prayers for the family.
I was Don’s landlord he was always showing up honking his horn and later years because he couldn’t get out and I would go out and see what he needed
RIP Uncle Don
Don was such a sweet person, he would come to break time to get fuel and ring in for deb or I to come pump his gas. He will be missed.
Peace to you, Uncle Don!
One of my older memories of Uncle Don was visiting him and Phyllis as a kid. I believe it was before Stephen was born. They were a lot of fun and Phyllis would play her guitar and sing – helping inspire me to play the guitar.
My most recent memory is his 86th birthday last year. The diner in Bland was so nice to host it !! They even made Don a chocolate cake – really good !! Gordon and Ann were there and of course Shannon, Kevin and Elliot. I also got to make some of don’s close friends including Duane that helped him a whole lot. Great time and we got some really good pictures. !!
Memories I will always remember is Uncle Don making the trip to my house for Christmas every year, and the first to arrive rain or shine. This has been his routine the past 10 years or so. And calling me when he randomly would be in Kirkwood and he would stop by for a visit! I had nice memoeirs of visiting him and Aunt Kaka (Phylis) too when I was young.
I have just learned about this and I am saddened. My grandfather was a wonderful man. I always enjoyed our long chats. Didn’t know him until I was an adult, as I searched and found him for my mother, his daughter Sherry Foote when she was the age of 40. First time she had ever met her biological father. It disheartens me to know that not one single person reached out to let us know about this. I attempted to call him a couple weeks ago and since have also mailed him a postcard from my travels, returned. So, I did a search and came across this.