Frederick S Hardman Jr.

Fred Hardman passed from earth to eternal glory on Friday, June 2, 2023, after a brief illness. He was born in Chicago to Fred and Helen Hardman on June 12, 1929. He was an only child. He graduated from Carl Schurz High School in 1946, from Wright Junior College in 1948, and from Northwestern University in 1950 and again in 1958. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1952 during the Korean Conflict. He was employed by the Commerce Clearing House, of Chicago and Riverwoods, for 37 years, retiring as Assistant Treasurer in 1991. On August 7, 1954, he married his long-time sweetheart, Judi Hardman, at the Norwood Park Baptist Church in Chicago. Together, they filled their home with love and laughter, as they immediately began to foster babies through the Evangelical Child and Family Agency. Soon afterward, they were blessed with children: John, Lynne, Carol, Jim, and Jack. When their youngest child, Jack, was born with severe physical and mental disabilities, they stopped fostering babies for a period of approximately 12 years and devoted themselves to making sure that Jack, and other children like him, had the chance to grow and develop. In 1975, they began to foster babies again, eventually welcoming a total of 89 into their home. He was an ever-devoted and faithful husband, father, grandfather of 14, and great-grandfather of 17. He loved being a part of the fellowship at Mt. Prospect Bible Church for over 55 years, where he served as a choir member, a soloist, in the ministry of visitation, and as a deacon. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 68 years, Judi; and is survived by their children: John DuFour, with grandchildren, Genevieve Anaya-Allen (Joshua Edalgo), Patrick Allen, and Irene Allen; Lynne (Jay Davis) Mattefs, with grandchildren,Chad (Navelle) Mattefs (and great-grandchildren, Eleanor deceased, Silas, Tanner, Harper, and Rowan), Joshua Davis, and Tyler Davis; Carol (Keith) Taylor, with grandchildren, Tricia (Drew) Lindow (and great-grandchildren, Evie, Isla, Selah deceased, and Farrah), Luke (Krista) Taylor (and great-grandchildren, Annie, Adeline, and Elowen), Jessica (Daniel) Hale (and great-grandchildren, Shepard and Sonora), and Kim Taylor; Jim (Arlene) Hardman, with grandchildren, Bethany (Joe) Steigenga (and great-grandchildren, Oliver and Mia), Melissa Hardman, James Aubrielle) Hardman (and great-grandson, Lukas), and Jack Hardman; and Jim's twin, Jack Hardman, who lives at the Marklund Hyde Center in Geneva, Illinois. Visitation will be held at Redemption Bible Church, 505 W. Golf Road, Mt. Prospect, on Sunday, June 4, from 4-7 pm. The funeral service will be at the same location on Monday, June 5, at 10 am, with visitation preceding the service from 9 to 9:45 am. Gifts, in honor of Fred, can be given to the Marklund Hyde Center, 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva, IL, 60134, www.marklund.org.