Robert E. Hardin “Moe”
How do you choose a single picture, or write a few words, to honor a man whose life has been as full as Moe’s?
Moe lived every minute of life full speed. His way or the highway, his reputation preceded him. He worked hard, rode hard, played hard and loved hard. Always up for a good time, he was the life of the party, hosting several huge parties over the years and entertaining on Sundays. He loved his people.
He traveled to most of the 48 states, Canada and Mexico, with jaunts to Florida every spring, making friends (and sometimes enemies) wherever he’d go.
A heart of gold; he loved babies, puppies, cats, squirrels, birds and the ladies – and the ladies loved Moe. He kept a water bowl for the strays wandering through the yard. He kept flowers on his brother’s grave since 1987. He liked fishing, boating, gardening, old cars, tractors and motorcycles. He liked junk; always down to wander through a flea market. He liked gambling and he liked his beer.
Moe was a member of the Road Knights Motorcycle Club since 1969, and before that, the Chosen Few Motorcycle Club, and before that, the Searchers Motorcycle Club. He was a lifetime member of the Moose Lodge.
He was a very smart and creative man. He could build anything you wanted and was proud to have the tools to be able to do that. He was proud of his garden, proud of his barn, and excited to show me something new that he had made or fixed or found. He taught himself to play guitar, making it up as he’d go. He was a journeyman electrician, maintenance man, trucker, and auto repairman; mostly self employed.
He brought me flowers. Watched the moon and the stars fall from the sky. Suffered through my crazies. Always kissed me goodnight. My friend, my lover, my confidante, my life.
Moe was born in Portageville Missouri on September 22, 1942 to Robert and Georgia (McAllister) Hardin. Although named after his Dad, the majority of his life he was simply known as Moe. He was the eldest of the Hardin boys, and second son born to Georgia. The family moved to Michigan in 1951.
Moe loved life, but he was sick of dying. Moe was diagnosed with throat cancer in the fall of 2015, he took the recommended poison and gave it a run for the money but sadly passed away on January 1, 2021 at home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Georgia Hardin; mother-in-law Leona Glover; father-in-law Billy Glover; brothers, Jack Berry, Doyle “Lefty” Hardin and Tom Hardin; sister-in-laws Clara Berry and Gracie Hardin; brother-in-laws John Govensky, Jake Blevins, and Ron Lubbers.
He will be deeply missed by those who survive including his wife, Betty Hardin; children Judy (Steve) Van Nortwick, Sheryl (Mike) Tyria, Jim (Randi) Hardin, and Charles Lacy; grandchildren Chris Hardin, Trevor Lacy, Hollie O’Neal, Ashleigh Bolt, and Devyn (Lacy) Prange (and others we never saw); great grandchildren Oliver Prange, Emory “Miss Moey” Prange, and Clarissa Brenner; siblings Paul (Mary Ellen) Hardin, James Hardin, Tony (Evelyn) Hardin, Tim Hardin, and sister Janet (Sam) Olund; in-laws Judy Hardin, Bill (Jean) Glover, Iola Govensky, Pat Blevins, Janice (Don) Mobley, Cathy Lubbers, Jerry (Jill) Glover, Jeff (Kim) Glover, Cheryl Hardin, and Kay Hershberger; his first wife Mary Tyria (mother of Jim, Sheryl and Judy); numerous nieces and nephews; a LOT of others who knew him as “Uncle Moe” or “Grandpa Moe”, and his cat “Katt”.
Betty and Moe would like to thank everyone who called and sent kind words and especially those who came to entertain him on Sundays. A special thanks to our sons Jim and Charles.
Moe will be cremated with his ashes buried at Manlius Township Cemetery. No service is planned. A celebration of life will be held at the Road Knights Motorcycle Club sometime in the summer.
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