Charles Owen Hardman was a President/Chairman in Hardman Supply Company.
22 He was educated in West Virginia University BA- Business and Economics.
2 Charles Owen Hardman, 91, of Spencer, W.Va., passed away on Feb. 9, 2011, at Roane General Hospital.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Fiedler Hardman; sons C. Stan Hardman and wife Donna, Fred C. Hardman and wife Martha, Thomas F. Hardman and wife Susan, all of Spencer; and daughter Sarah H. Giachino and husband Nick of St. Charles, Ill.
Born on Feb. 24, 1919 in Spencer, Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Owen Ruby and Grace Holswade Hardman, and two sisters, Gwendolyn Hardman Jackson of Cumberland, Md., and Helen Hardman Denbigh of Spencer.
Surviving grandchildren are Jamie Loving and husband James of McLean, Va., Gwen Lowry and husband Kirk of Charlotte, N.C., Elizabeth Ricks and husband Colin of Doylestown, Pa., Owen Hardman of Spencer, and Olivia and Victoria Giachino of St. Charles, Ill.; great-grandchildren include Adelaide and Charlotte Loving of McLean, Va.; Eliza and Thomas Kirkpatrick Lowry of Charlotte, N.C. Also surviving are his sister Anna-Neale Houck Samworth of Charlotte, N.C.; nieces Janet Butts of Moorefield, W.Va., Gwen Brady of Charlotte, N.C., Anna Neale Taylor of Spencer, Mary Frazier of Isle of Palms, S.C., and Amy Joyner of Nashville, Tenn.; and nephews Charles Houck of Beckley, W.Va., and John Denbigh of Spencer.
Charlie was the retired President and Chairman of Hardman Supply Company. He also served as a board member, the President and Chairman of the Traders Bank, a partner in Massa Oil Company, Five Star Oil & Gas Company, and the President of Spencer Roane Grocery, all in Spencer. In addition, he was a former board member and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Doit Best Corp. of Ft. Wayne, Ind.
During WWII, he served in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant in the 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, where he fought in the European Theater and helped liberate St. Lo, Mortain, Evereux, Spa, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and in 2008 was presented a Legislative Citation for his military service by the WV House of Delegates.
After attending Peddie Preparatory School in Hightstown, N.J., he graduated from Spencer High School and West Virginia University with a BA degree in Business and Economics. At WVU he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and served as the manager of the boxing team. As an R.O.T.C cadet, he was a member of the National Society of Scabbard & Blade.
As one who loved his community, Charlie was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church, the Spencer Rotary Club, the American Legion Post 21, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5783, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Masonic Lodge 38, all in Spencer, He also served on the WV United Methodist Spring Heights Commission. He was a former President of the WV Builders Supply Association and a former member of the West Virginia University Foundation Board of Directors.
Charlie enjoyed telling stories, fishing and hunting, and playing bridge with his life long friends. He loved traveling with Mary to new and different places. He felt it important to take his children and grandchildren to retrace the route he followed during WWII. He wanted the next two generations to understand the sacrifice of those that never returned home.
The family would like to acknowledge the love and support from the caregivers, Madge Price, Carolyn Taylor, Jo Ann Gandee, Carol Bottenfield, Debbie Nichols and Shelia Harold. They also want to express appreciation to the doctors and staff of Roane General Hospital. Expressions of love can be made through flowers or as a memorial gift to St. John's United Methodist Church Foundation, 335 Church Street, Spencer, WV 25276.
Taylor-Vandale Funeral Home, 206 Beauty Street, Spencer, WV, is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. today and the funeral will be 1 p.m. Saturday, at St John's United Methodist Church in Spencer with the Rev. Michael Luddle officiating assisted by the Rev. Art Tucker, followed by a military graveside service at Spencer Memorial cemetery.