Birdena Wilson Hardesty

Birdena Elizabeth Hardesty, 91, of Palestine, IL, died at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2008 at Cotillion Ridge Nursing Center, Robinson after an extended illness. She was born February 12, 1917 in Palestine, IL, the daughter of Raymond C. Wilson and Barbara Ellen Martindale Wilson. She was a member of the Oak Grove Church, Charter member of the Home Extension Association, active participant of the Grange, a member of the Palestine business community for over fifty years, associated with the Coffee Cup, Bells and Hares Grocery Stores, Bertram Rexall, where she earned her nickname of 'Doc' Hardesty, and Miller’s Junction.She married Nolan G. Hardesty May 25, 1934 and he preceded her in death March 17, 1983. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her son, Raymond Hardesty; her great granddaughter, Tabitha Ikemire; 3 brothers, Bernard, Charles, and Eugene Wilson; and 1 sister, Ardith McCoy.She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Larry Miller, Palestine, and a daughter-in-law, Judy Hardesty, all of Palestine; 4 grandchildren, Tam and Lee Putnam, Bloomington, IL, Steve and Cindy Hardesty, Flat Rock, Mary Beth and Joe Smeltzer, Palestine, David and Carol Matteson, Palestine; her great grandchildren, Cory, Jamie and Kacee McDaniel, Seth Matteson, Ryan, Nicole, and Christopher Hardesty, 2 great-great grandchildren, Payton and Makenzie McDaniel; 1 brother, Larry Wilson, Pauline, SC; 2 sisters-in-law, Bernice Wilson, New Palestine, IN and Wilma Wilson, Robinson.Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2008 at the Oak Grove Cemetery, rural Palestine with Rev. Tom Akers officiating. The Goodwine Funeral Home, Palestine is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Oak Grove Cemetery Association with envelopes available at the funeral home.