Raymond G. "Sonny" Hardesty, 71 of rural Palestine, IL, died at 3:36 a.m. Saturday, October 21, 2006 at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson. He was born May 18, 1935 in Robinson, IL, the son of Nolan Hardesty and Birdena Wilson Hardesty.
He was a retired Operating Engineer in the construction industry; was a member of the Local #841 Operating Engineer's Union; attended Oak Grove Church; and served on the Oak Grove Cemetery Board for 23 years. He was also an avid coyote hunter.
He married Judy Starwalt on September 10, 1954 and she survives. He is also survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Cindy Hardesty, rural Flat Rock; his daughter and son-in-law, Tamara and Arthur "Lee" Putnam, Bloomington, IL; 4 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; his mother, Birdena Hardesty, Robinson; his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Larry Miller, Palestine; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and his granddaughter, Tabatha.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 24th at 10:00 a.m. at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Brother Steve Batman is in charge of services. Burial is in Oak Grove Cemetery, rural Palestine. Visitation is from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 23rd. Memorials may be made to the Oak Grove Cemetery Association with envelopes at the funeral home.
