George "Jerry" Jerome Hardesty

George Jerome Hardesty, “Jerry”, 86, passed away with his loving wife, Evelyn by his side on Friday, April 17, 2026.

George was born on December 17, 1939 in South Bend, IN to the late George Buford Hardesty and Marie Josephine (White) Hardesty. He is also preceded in death by his brother, Richard Travis Hardesty, and sister, Helen Maxine Nolen. On December 14, 1974, George married Evelyn Kazmierczak Hardesty.

Left to cherish their memories of George are his wife, Evelyn; sister, Denise Hardesty - Kiker, and several nieces and nephews.

George graduated Lakeville High School, class of 1957, then continued his education at IUSB. He was a former deputy sheriff with the St. Joseph County Sheriff Department. From there, he went to work for Central States Transport delivering new semi-trailers along the West Coast for 25 years until retiring. In his younger years, George owned and flew a private airplane. He loved to fly and play the trumpet. George was a member of the Michiana Concert Band and started his own band called the Dixie Land Cats. Music was his greatest passion. He and his wife enjoyed watching tv together, the Lawrence Welk Show was one of their favorite programs.

A Remembrance Service will be held at 1:00pm on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Rd., South Bend, IN. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Michiana Concert Band, michianaconcertband.org

Online condolences can be made at sjfh.net.

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