Leslie Ray Hardesty, 81, of Linton, Indiana, passed away peacefully with family by his side, on June 27, 2021 at Autumn Trace in Linton. He was born on September 16, 1939 in Pleasantville, Indiana to Vertis and Mary Susan (Boone) Hardesty.

Ray married the love of his life, Phyllis M. (Vaughn) Hardesty on August 30, 1958.

Ray was a member of the Olive Branch Baptist Church and Local Union #841. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for #841 and Peabody Coal Company. Ray enjoyed gardening, woodworking, tinkering with lawnmowers and vehicles, bringing smiles to others, and most recently doing sand art.

Family left to cherish the memory of Ray include: one son, Vertis (Charlotte) Hardesty of Linton; one daughter, Jada Haldeman (Stephen Shaver) of Greenfield; two grandsons, Chris (Rachel) Hardesty of Worthington and Nathan (Nicole) Hardesty of Cincinnati, OH; six great-grandchildren, Questyn, Lillian, Adilynn, Lucas, Lydia and Levi; brother, Morrison (Sharon) Hardesty of Chesterton and sisters, Susan Horton of Oaktown, Patty Miller of Seymour and Shirley (Steve) D’Agostino of Barneveld, NY. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by: his parents; step-mother, Marie Boone-Hardesty; his wife, Phyllis Hardesty; brothers, Richard ‘Dick’ Hardesty, Robert ‘Bob’ Hardesty and William ‘Bill’ Boone.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at Anderson-Poindexter Chapel in Linton with grandson, Nathan Hardesty and Warren Shake officiating. Ray will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Linton.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, June 30 and from 9:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM on Thursday, at the funeral home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Meng Family Funeral Homes, Anderson-Poindexter Chapel in Linton. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.andersonpoindexter.com.