Charles “Ed” Hardy, 82, of Corydon, Indiana, passed away on September 29, 2026, just three days after celebrating 56 years of marriage with the love of his life, Judy S. (Bailey).

Ed was born November 7, 1943, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Lois and Frank Hardy. After losing his father at just two years old, his mother later married John “Jack” Lacey, and their family grew with three more children. At 17, Ed left home to serve in the United States Navy aboard the USS Bryce Canyon as a shipfitter. Ed was a hard working man and after leaving the Navy, he held positions as a bricklayer, chief of animal control, and other various jobs, but the one he was most proud of and extremely skilled at was his career as a farrier. Ed spent over 50 years shoeing horses before finally retiring when he and Judy moved to Indiana. Horses weren't simply his livelihood; he understood them, respected them, and took tremendous pride in doing right by them. Ed was an outdoorsman at heart. In his younger years, he packed into the Sierra Nevada mountains, hunted bear, fished for trout, camped, and rode motorcycles. He loved animals, especially his little sidekick Athena, who passed away this past July. He loved to dance, loved Christian music, loved a good family gathering, and was forever convinced that one of his lottery tickets was eventually going to make him a millionaire. But more than anything, Ed loved his family. He met Judy on a night she insists was not supposed to be a date, but the Lord had different plans. It was love at first sight. They danced the night away and fell in love, and married on September 26, 1970, in Riverside, California. Judy brought three children into their marriage, Kevin (Cara) Sadler, Kathy (Guy) Farnsworth, and Shari (Tim) Elder, whom Ed welcomed wholeheartedly. Together, Ed and Judy later had a daughter, Edie Lynn Hardy, who preceded him in death in 2004. Over 56 years, Ed and Judy built a life together through what Judy lovingly describes as “the good, the bad, and the ugly.” Through all of it, she remained his person. Judy was his lifeblood, and there was nowhere Ed wanted to be more than beside her, right up until his last breath.

Ed leaves behind a family he was immensely proud of, including his grandchildren Christopher (Victoria) Elder, Katie Elder (fiancé Damian Schmelz), Annette (Shawn) Ryder, Krystal (James) Falvey, John Farnsworth, Daniel Farnsworth (fiancé Taylor Gaspard), Guy (Brittany) Farnsworth Jr., Michael Farnsworth, John (Vanessa) Sadler, and Janelle Sadler; and his great-grandchildren Lillian, Roman, Declan, Jaxson, Olivia, Adam, Barielle, Christian, Catlyn, Lily, and Abigail. He is also survived by his siblings Francis Porter; John Lacey; Joe (Wanda) Lacey; and Lois (BJ) Fletcher.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Hardy; his daughter, Edie; and brothers-in-law Jesse Porter and Dana Lacey.

Ed loved the Lord and looked forward to what came next. Revelation 19:11 describes Heaven opening and Christ appearing upon a white horse. For a man who spent nearly 50 years caring for horses, Ed already knew what job he wanted when he got there. He told Judy he wanted to shoe Jesus’ white horse. So perhaps somewhere beyond this life, Ed has already picked up his tools one more time.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at St. Michael Catholic Church, 11400 Farmers Lane NE, Greenville, IN 47124.

Arrangements have been entrusted to B&G Mortuary Service. Please share a memory.