David Albert Hardy, 77, of Quincy passed away peacefully Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025 in the presence of his loving family.
Born July 17, 1947 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dave was the son of Albert and Mary (Scott) Hardy. He married his beloved wife, Renee Burlew, September 2, 1968.
Together, they raised four children; April Zapata of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Autumn (Anthony) Gray of Barrington, Illinois, Weston Hardy of Wyoming, Michigan, and Gregory Hardy of Bronson, Michigan. He will be fondly remembered by his eight grandchildren—Mackenzie (Joseph) Salvi, Shane (Hannah) Parker, Gabe (Kristen) Feller, Ayla Gray, Sydney Ghirardi, Ciarra (Dylan) Hardy, Jacob Zapata, and Luke Hardy—as well as his two great-grandchildren, Josephina and Lucia Salvi.
He is also survived by three sisters; Nancy Osborne of Lake Forest, Illinois, Alice Sue (John) Rockey of Jackson, Michigan, and Randi (Kevin) Miller of Solsberry, Indiana.
After graduating from Quincy High School in 1965, Dave briefly attended Ft. Wayne Bible College and Burnside Ott Aviation School in Miami, Florida before ultimately dedicating his working life to the craft of brick masonry. He took great pride in his work, having contributed to the early brickwork on the beautiful Hillsdale College campus.
Dave was a man of many interests, most of which drew him outdoors and into nature. He was an avid beekeeper, and he delighted in rock tumbling, gardening, hunting, fishing, and growing fruit. He loved walking and enjoying nature, often with a mischievous flair that earned him the attention of the local fire department.
Dave had a penchant for collecting animals—much to Renee’s chagrin—keeping cows, hogs, cats, dogs, chickens, rabbits, and even raccoons. You could often find him zipping around on his four-wheeler, with his loyal dog, Anna, riding dutifully along. He loved taking his grandchildren on outdoor adventures that sparked just enough excitement to send their mothers into a mild panic.
Dave was a creative problem-solver and impressively handy. He had a knack for devising inventive, albeit unconventional, solutions around the house. As a devoted napper, he cherished his daily rest, and his evenings were often spent unwinding with a few episodes of M*A*S*H* and enjoying an ice cream float. During family gatherings, he would often be found quietly observing from the corner—unless a game of Sequence was on, at which point he would eagerly join in the fun.
Above all, Dave’s heart was anchored in his love for Jesus Christ, dedicating time every day to studying and memorizing the Bible.
A visitation will be held Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Eagle Funeral Home-George White Chapel in Quincy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Dave’s memory to the Elara Caring Hospice Foundation, 7030 Pointe Inverness Way, Suite 230, Fort Wayne, IN 46804, or online at https://elaracaringhospicefoundation.org/.
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
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