78, Oblong, Illinois
Visitation: 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2013 ~ First Baptist Church, Corner of Garfield and Missouri Streets, Oblong, Illinois
A Celebration of Don’s Life will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, May 29, 2013 ~ First Baptist Church, Oblong, Illinois
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of a contribution to the Oblong Sports Boosters, Lincolnland Hospice or St. Jude Children’s Hospital with envelopes at the First Baptist Church or may be mailed to Pulliam Funeral Home, P.O. Box 121, Oblong, Illinois 62449.
Donald R. “Hardy” Houdasheldt Sr., 78, Oblong, Illinois passed away at 10:35 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2013, at his residence in Oblong, Illinois. Born in Oblong, Illinois on April 12, 1935, he was the son of Lawrence Lee “LL” “Hardy” Houdasheldt and Vera (Howell) Houdasheldt. Don worked construction while in high school and later operated a gas station with his father. Don graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois and was ordained as a minister in 1968. The churches Don served included Prior Grove Baptist Church, rural Oblong, IL where he served twice, First Baptist Church, West Union, IL; Baptist Church, Watson, IL, Baptist Church, Patoka, IL and he returned to Oblong where he served his last church being Cummins Baptist Church in Rose Hill, Illinois. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Oblong, IL; he helped organize the Sons of American Legions in Oblong; member of the Oblong Masonic Lodge #644 AF & AM and he coached and managed Oblong Youth Baseball when his when his boys were playing in the early 70’s.
On June 13, 1954, Don married Rose Jacobs, who survives. Also surviving is a son and daughter-in-law, Don & Dana Houdasheldt; a daughter-in-law, Diane Houdasheldt; four grandchildren, Josh Houdasheldt, Mandy Houdasheldt, Bethany & D. J. Davis and Hanna Houdasheldt; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mark & Donna Jacobs; a nephew, Troy Jacobs and Smith K. “Buster” Mendenhall who was like a brother to Hardy.
Don is preceded in death by his parents; a son Donald Richard “Rick” “Hardy” Houdasheldt Jr. and nephew Todd Jacobs.
Bro. Rusty Morecraft and Bro. Jeff Monroney will officiate the funeral service. Burial will follow in the Oblong Cemetery, Oblong, Illinois.
