March 30, 1936 – January 8, 2025
John Hardman was born March 30, 1936, in Greene, Iowa, the son of Marion Merrick and Schuyler Royal Hardman. John passed away after a brief battle with cancer at Wellspring Living of Friendship Village in Waterloo, Iowa on January 8, 2025.
Private family services will be held with burial at Rose Hill Cemetery in Greene.
He graduated from Greene Public Schools with perfect attendance on May 27th, 1954. During school he participated in chorus and lettered in football and baseball.
He later graduated from Upper Iowa University with a bachelor’s of science degree with minors in psychology and history in 1958. During college he played on the golf team.
He was united in marriage on October 23, 1970, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marshalltown to Rachel Schaper. Together they made their home in Charles City, Iowa. They had three children: Chad, Jeff, and Darcie.
John was a hard worker and over the years was employed in highway construction, was a welder for Hydrotile for over 20 years, and worked at Charles City Hospital until he retired in 1999. Upon retirement he took great pride in keeping a nice lawn, attending grandchildren activities, and traveling all over the world. Some of his favorite travels included Italy, Germany, Rome, Belize, Alaska, Grand Canyon, Zihuantanejo, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Yepala.
John loved being active. As an avid golfer, bowler, and fisherman, these hobbies took him all over the country. He received many achievements in bowling including American Bowling Congress League Champion and Waterloo Courier Tournament of Champions to name a few.
John was also an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching Chicago Cubs baseball, Minnesota Vikings, University of Iowa, and grandchildren activities. One of his favorite adventures was taking the train to the Rosebowl in 1957. Another sporting highlight was when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016 which he celebrated with his 8-year-old grandson Nolan!
John also enjoyed canoeing, bird watching, and his cherished dog Minnie.
John attended St. John Lutheran Church in Charles City.
John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rachel; one brother, Edward Hardman of Illinois; three children: Chad (Jen) of Pella, Jeff (Robyn) of Cedar Falls, and Darcie (Colby) of Charles City; 15 grandchildren: Ashley, Luke, Sarah, Ellie, Brody, Mya, Griffin, Macy, Blaze, Josh, Makenna, Ashten, Emma, Ava, and Nolan. Along with nieces and nephews: Mark, Stephen, Erin, and Shane.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Royal Hardman; mother and father-in-law, Bessie and Eugene Schaper; sister-in-law, Barbara Hardman; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Linda Schaper; and granddaughter, Macy Hardman.
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