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Donald R. Hardin
Dec. 23, 1936-Aug. 11, 2011
ARNOLD, Nebraska -- Donald R. Hardin, 74, of Arnold Nebraska, passed away Aug. 11, 2011, at the Callaway Good Samaritan Society Center. He went to be with his Lord after fighting a year long battle with cancer.
Don was born on Dec. 23, 1936, in Arnold, Nebraska, to Homer and Martha (Yeadon) Hardin. He received his education at Arnold Public Schools and graduated in 1954. He attended college at Kearney State College with a major in music as well as a minor in biology. He received his Master's degree in music education from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley, Colorado.
Don married Mary Croghan of Arnold on June 30, 1957, and to this union three children were born, Ben Hardin of McCook, Paula Booker of Merna, and Kent Hardin of McCook.
Don loved his family and spending time with them, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed farming, golfing, bowling, fishing, flying remote control airplanes, and playing the piano. During his 36 years of teaching vocal and instrumental music, Don was able to share his love of music with hundreds of students in multiple schools throughout Nebraska. He was a church choir director for 36 years. Don also loved to share his musical talents with family and friends at area functions, church, memorial, and funeral services. He retired from teaching in 1997, but never fully retired from the farming operation until health issues forced him to during the summer of 2010.
Survivors include his loving wife, Mary, his son Ben (Susan) Hardin of McCook, daughter Paula (Mike) Booker of Merna, and son Kent (Kay) Hardin of McCook; nine grandchildren, Ryan, Ethan, Betsy, and Molly Hardin of McCook, Josh (Lindsey) Booker of Firth, Tyler Booker (Lexi Rundell) of Broken Bow, Morgan Booker (Spencer Olson) of Broken Bow, Logan Tschacher and Braden Hardin of McCook; a brother, John R. Hardin, of Castle Rock, Colorado; brothers-in-law, Dee Croghan of Boulder, Colorado, Jim (Shirla) Croghan of Broken Bow and Paul (Carmen) Croghan of Arnold; and numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents Homer and Martha Hardin, brother George Hardin, and step-grandson Charlie Tschacher.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m., on Monday, Aug. 15, at the United Methodist Church in Arnold with Pastor Dale Coates officiating.
Memorials have been established in care of the United Methodist Church of Arnold and the American Cancer Society.