Neil O HARDY June 15 1935 - July 18 2010 at foot a militaty marker, Neil Otis Hardy, US Air Force, Korea. Our Children: Sandra, Teresea, Neil Jr∼FINGER, Tennessee -- Neil Otis Hardy, 75, died Sunday (July 18, 2010) at Jackson General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee. Mr. Hardy was born and reared in Stratton, Nebraska, the son of the late Frank Kenneth and Lola Myra Henderson Hardy. He graduated from Stratton High School in 1953 and attended Abilene Christian College for two years. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1955 and served near the end of the Korean War. He was stationed in Senbach, Germany.

He married Mary Lou Bricker in 1958. He farmed in Nebraska and worked for Northwest Kansas Research Extension Service at Kansas State and retired in 1993. The couple moved to Chester County in 1997 and enjoyed traveling, especially in the winter months when they would travel to Florida, Arizona, and California. They spent several winters in Labelle, Florida. They enjoyed playing golf after their retirement. He had been a member of the American Legion Post in Kansas and had served in many of its offices. He was a member of the Estes Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by two brothers, George Hardy and Delbert Hardy.

Mr. Hardy is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Lou Hardy of Finger; two daughters, Sandy Cravens and husband, Michael of Henderson, Tennessee, and Teresa Puente and husband, Rene of Henderson; son Neil Hardy, Jr. and wife, Lisa of Finger; sister, Vonna Ragan and husband, Seth of Stratton; and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services were Wednesday, at Shackelford Funeral Directors of Henderson with B.J. Naylor, Jesse Robertson, and Neil Hardy, Jr. officiating. Condolences can be sent to the family at 220 Friendship Rd., Finger, TN, 38334.

(Published in McCook Daily Gazette, Friday, July 23, 2010)