Martha Lee Hardesty

July 10, 1930 - December 13, 2020

Martha Lee (Hale) Hardesty, born July 10, 1930 in Columbus, Ohio, passed away December 13, 2020 at Friendship Village of Dublin at the age of 90. She was preceded in death by her parents Allen and Lillian (Beardslee) Hale, sister Marilyn (Hale) Edwards, brother-in-law John T. Edwards, Jr., son James H. Yeager, stepson John W. Hardesty, stepmother Irene (Handley) Hale, step-brother Carlyle Handley and loving husband Frank J. Hardesty. After graduating in 1948 from Grandview Heights High School (GHHS), Martha proudly attended The Ohio State University where she was a Delta Gamma. An avid Ohio State Buckeye fan, she attended most home football games well into her 80’s. Those who knew her also remember her great love of music. Thanks in part to her father’s dance band, the Allen C. Hale orchestra, Martha began singing and playing piano as a young girl-skills she would cultivate her whole life as a member of the First Community Church Cloister choir, Columbus Vaudevillities, and her beloved trio comprised of GHHS friends Diana (longest and dearest) and Jackie - go Bobcats! Martha also belonged to the GHHS alumni association where she helped organize class reunions every five years, including her class’s 65th reunion in 2013. Martha and Frank were married in 1976. They were members of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church and Worthington Hills Country Club. Together they enjoyed playing golf and cards with family and friends, traveling, reading, and gardening. In 1978, she assisted Frank in starting Hardesty Insulation, Inc. (Hilliard, Ohio) where she served as VP and Treasurer. After the sale of the company 20 years later, they traveled to Florida’s west coast every winter for sunshine and golf. In 2008, two years after Frank’s passing, Martha moved to Friendship Village of Dublin where she enjoyed her remaining life. She was known for her warm beautiful smile, kindness, and love of family - and dogs. Martha is survived by her children Allen (Dana) Yeager, Hilliard, OH., Charles (Connie) Yeager, Englewood, FL., stepsons James (Sue) Hardesty, Toms River, N.J., and Jeffrey (Marilyn) Hardesty, Caswell Beach, N.C., grandchildren Robert (Jesse) Yeager, Christopher (Corinne) Yeager, Justin Fisher, Heidi (Orlando) DeBiasi, Erika Hough, John (Laura) Hardesty, Jeff (Michelle) Hardesty, Justin (Sarah) Hardesty, Taylor (Jared) Steier and 16 great-grandchildren. Martha was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. One of her most memorable times of the year was the large family reunion held in July, around her birthday. There she would enjoy her family, bocci ball tournaments (trophy to the winners), and a favorite treat or two – likely some ice cream or chocolate, or both. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date through Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home, Worthington, OH. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the GHHS Alumni Association, P.O. Box 12116, Grandview Heights, OH. 43212. Condolences may be made to the family at www.rutherfordfuneralhome.com