James L. "Big Jim" Hardy

OTTAWA – James L. “Big Jim” Hardy, age 74, of Ottawa, passed away surrounded by his family Saturday, September 16, 2017 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Gladfelter Funeral Home with funeral services following at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Captain Quentin Boyle will be officiating.  Following the funeral service, family and friends are invited to a get together for a Celebration of Life at Jamie’s Outpost in Utica.  Honorary pallbearers will be his grandsons.

James was born January 17, 1943 in Ottawa, the son of Oliver Lloyd and Lettie (Thornburg) Hardy.  He married Betty Sibert December 31, 1971 in Ottawa.  Surviving are his wife, Betty, of Ottawa; his children, Patrick (Elizabeth) Hardy and Jodie (Rich) Mosell, all of Ottawa, and Jamie (Tracy) Mix of Utica; his grandchildren, Rachel Barbaro, Noah Hardy, Zack, Marissa, and Zoey Mosell, and Alex, Abbi, and Aiden Mix; great grandchildren, Addyson Mosell and Emma Barbaro; his sisters, Holly (Red) Leonatti and Lloydene Hardy; and his good friend, Keith Ericsson of Ottawa.  He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Oliver Lloyd Hardy Jr., Samuel Hardy, and Eric Hardy.

James was a proud member of Local 150 and retired after 40 years as an Operating Engineer.  He was a member of Ducks Unlimited, the NRA, Pheasants Forever, and the Ottawa River Rescue Squad.  James loved hunting, fishing, and trapping and everything pertaining to the great outdoors.  In 1999 he opened Big Jim’s Bait and Tackle which he operated out of his garage.  He was well known for his 4th of July Fish Fry which brought many people.  James also had a green thumb for gardening and loved canning.  He was devoted to his family and cherished his grandchildren, teaching them everything he knew.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

To share a memory or light a candle, please visit www.gladfelterfuneralhome.com or Gladfelter Funeral Home on Facebook.