Orville Reed Hardenbrook

Orville Reed Hardenbrook, Jr., 92, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at Oakview Heights Continuous Care and Rehab Center. He did not die from COVID. He was just old and lived an awesome, long life!

Reed was born August 17, 1928 in Enid, Oklahoma, the son of Orville R. and Sadie (Tammen) Hardenbrook, Sr.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mt. Carmel.

During his childhood, Reed attended nineteen different schools in several different states.  In 8th grade he settled into school at Benton and graduated in 1947 from Benton Township High School.  While in high school he played basketball and track.  Reed started playing varsity from his sophomore year on.  He continued basketball and played for an independent basketball league in Evansville, IN.

Reed married Phyllis Jean Burkett on September 4, 1948 in Benton, Illinois. She preceded him in death after 52 years of marriage on December 25, 2000.  He married Lillian Genelle Large on August 29, 2005 and she preceded him in death on February 5, 2016.

Working with his dad in the oil fields from the age of 12, Reed became a roughneck. Settling into his career with Dowell in Mt. Carmel in 1955, and then started working as a station manager in Henderson, Kentucky for over 20 years. He then started working as a sales and service engineer for M&S Oilwell and Cementing from 1984 - untill retirement. Reed enjoyed watching Evansville, IN basketball, was a big Cardinal fan, NFL football fan and avid golfer.  He enjoyed spending his days golfing with Gary Arnold Sr. and Sitaleki Militoni. He had fond memories of his trips to the Grand Canyon and Mexico.  He loved bassett hounds, especially his fur buddy, Ace. Reed will be remembered as a well-respected man, not only personally, but professionally.

Left to cherish Reed’s memory are his daughter, Kerri Dawn Poole Wilson; stepdaughter, Rachel Martin; stepson, Monte Turner; grandchildren, Aaron James and wife SSGT Kayla Poole and Rebecca Poole Teague Waters(Retired USAF); step grandchildren, Hannah Martin, Sarah Martin, and Noah Martin; great grandchildren, Kieran James Poole, Alexander Reed Poole, Aries Dawn Poole, Morgan Seth Teague, Aaron Blake Waters; and a niece, Kimberly Carrell.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wives; a son, Gary Reed Hardenbrook and his wife Judy; and a sister, Reba Colleen Carrell.

Visitation for friends and family will be held Thursday December 17, 2020 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. with funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made Wabash County Shelter Buddies or First Baptist Church.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Reed’s family.

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