Cletus "Clet" W. Hardin, age 79, of Evansville, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 15, 2011 in Carmel, IN where he and his wife relocated recently to be near family.

Clet was a longtime resident of Evansville, living on Mesker Park Drive. Clet served Evansville's Westside as a funeral director for over 50 years, devoting his professional life to helping Evansville families in their time of need. Clet will always be remembered for his kindness and gentle spirit. He was quick to smile and share a story, and treated everyone he met with warmth and familiarity. Clet was a 1950 graduate of Bosse High School and a graduate of the Indiana College of Mortuary Science. He was a member and Deacon of 12th Avenue General Baptist Church (now Westwood Church), the Masonic Lodge, and The Scottish Rite. Clet's lifelong hobby was the history of automobiles, the restoration and salvage of automobiles, classic cars and occasionally a church bus for 12th Avenue General Baptist Church.

Cletus is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lois A. (Willey) Hardin; children, Rick Hardin and his wife, Ann of Zionsville, IN, Dianne Archer and her husband Denny of Carmel, IN and Greta Carroll and her husband Mark, of Carmel, IN; grandchildren, Allison Sterner, William Archer, Hilary Carroll, Hannah Carroll, Emily Hardin and John Carroll; great grandchildren, Ruth and Sam Sterner. Also surviving are his sister, Mary Ann Donithan and her husband, Cecil; stepsisters, Nina Thurman and her husband, Jess and June Meeks, his stepbrother, Ray Aurs and a brother in law, Robert Willey.

Clet was preceded in death by his parents, William H. "W.H." and Cleva Hardin, his stepmother, Anna Hardin and a brother, Clarence Hardin, all of Evansville.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 19, 2011 at 11:30 A.M. at Pierre Funeral Home, Rev. John Sloan officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 7:00 P.M. on Thursday and from 10:00 A.M. until service time on Friday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Westwood Church, 121 S. Boehne Camp Road, Evansville, IN 47712 or to the American Heart Association .

August 17, 2011
Rick & Emily tailgate with us at each Purdue game and often talked about their father/grandfather. After reading the descriptive words about Cletus, we know many of his wonderful attributes live on in Rick and Emily. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their family.
Mike & Linda Coombs, Greenwood, Indiana

August 17, 2011
Lois, Rick, Dianne and Greta; I have such fond memories of Cletus, always ready with a smile and words of encouragement. As a funeral director he was the kindest, warmest and most sincere person one could ever hope to work with in their time of grief. As a fellow member of the church he was always giving of himself. But, first and foremost Cletus Hardin was truly an honorable man and that is how he will be remembered. He will be missed.
Ethan Hostettler, Owensboro, Kentucky

August 17, 2011
Cletus was an extraordinary gentleman. We know he will be greatly missed here, but we do so look forward to seeing him again in the kingdom of heaven. He was a dear brother in Christ Jesus.
Bob and Karen Hammonds

August 17, 2011
I remember Mr. Hardin fondly from family Evansville visits when I was young. I am sure he will be missed greatly. John 14:1-2 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
Kristine Boyer

August 17, 2011
Uncle Clet was the sweetest man I ever knew. I will never forget his smile, his laugh or his bottomless well of kind words even if I was messing up his home on my summer visits. He will always have a special place in the hearts of the Willey family.
Kyle (Guy) Willey

August 18, 2011
Dear Lois, It was a pleasure for both of us to have worked with Clet for many years. God doesn't make them any better than Clet was. So sorry we will be out of town this weekend but you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Bud & Judy Wimpelberg, Evansville, Indiana

August 18, 2011
Dear Lois, Rick, Diane & Greta, I was so sorry to hear the news of Clet's passing. Sending our deepest condolences to your family.
Kelly (Maier) Al Nashmi, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

August 18, 2011
Mary Ann, Haven't seen you and Cletus for years, but remember you all with love from Walnut St. Bapt. Church and Bosse. May the Lord bless you and keep you. Will remember you in our prayers.
Joann (Pate) Frank, New Salisbury, Indiana

August 18, 2011
Just wanted to let you all know that you’re in my thought and prayers during this time of sorrow. I remember many good time growing up, our visits to Evansville during the summers, Diane's graduation from Annapolis and Greta surprising my parents by bringing Lois and Clet up to their anniversary party. He will be missed but not forgotten.
Love, Dan Doering

August 19, 2011
So sorry to read about Clet and sorry we are unable to stop by to visit. I will always remember him at the funeral home, always with a smile and always ready to talk and ask about my family and our boys.
Stan & Rosie Bogard