| Ohio Defense Force Home Guard |
| Ohio Defense Force Home Guard |
ODF Mourns the loss of their own;
WO2 Joel Hardbarger
On Sunday Nov. 4th, Chief Joel S. Hardbarger passed away unexpectedly
from a long illness. Chief Hardbarger had been a member since 2001, but prior
to that he had been a “silent member” of the organization providing the Ohio
Defense Force with properties to train on and equipment to use. Joel joined as
a Warrant Officer in late 2001 after he missed his seat on one of the planes that
flew into the World Trade Center. After that fateful morning Joel decided to be
more active in the organization that he quietly supported. As his son, Michael,
said; “...[Dad] loved the militia”. And it showed as he was an iconic figure at all
the trainings and events in the ODF.
Beyond the ODF Joel was a classic adventurer; boating, deep sea fishing,
and mountain climbing around the world. He had a commercial Sea Captain's
license and had been to Europe and the Mediterranean on several occasions.
He worked as a consultant in marine surveying, ran gas wells for Racine
Hydraulics, was a successful investor, and held several positions in various
fields. He is survived by a son, Michael (Heidi) Hardbarger of Dresden; two
brothers, Rob and Tim; a sister, Kim; an aunt, Catherine of Beckley, West
Virginia; granddaughters, Cassidy, Caylen and Callie; several nieces and
nephews; former wife, Joyce and many friends. Besides his parents, he was
preceded in death by a brother, Donald; a sister, Monica and several aunts and
uncles. Services for Chief Hardbarger were held on Monday November 12,
2007 at the Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home in Zanesville. Several members from
1st and 3rd Battalions were present. Chief Hardbarger will be honored again at
the Ellis Dam Facility. Details to follow.
WO2 Joel Hardbarger
On Sunday Nov. 4th, Chief Joel S. Hardbarger passed away unexpectedly
from a long illness. Chief Hardbarger had been a member since 2001, but prior
to that he had been a “silent member” of the organization providing the Ohio
Defense Force with properties to train on and equipment to use. Joel joined as
a Warrant Officer in late 2001 after he missed his seat on one of the planes that
flew into the World Trade Center. After that fateful morning Joel decided to be
more active in the organization that he quietly supported. As his son, Michael,
said; “...[Dad] loved the militia”. And it showed as he was an iconic figure at all
the trainings and events in the ODF.
Beyond the ODF Joel was a classic adventurer; boating, deep sea fishing,
and mountain climbing around the world. He had a commercial Sea Captain's
license and had been to Europe and the Mediterranean on several occasions.
He worked as a consultant in marine surveying, ran gas wells for Racine
Hydraulics, was a successful investor, and held several positions in various
fields. He is survived by a son, Michael (Heidi) Hardbarger of Dresden; two
brothers, Rob and Tim; a sister, Kim; an aunt, Catherine of Beckley, West
Virginia; granddaughters, Cassidy, Caylen and Callie; several nieces and
nephews; former wife, Joyce and many friends. Besides his parents, he was
preceded in death by a brother, Donald; a sister, Monica and several aunts and
uncles. Services for Chief Hardbarger were held on Monday November 12,
2007 at the Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home in Zanesville. Several members from
1st and 3rd Battalions were present. Chief Hardbarger will be honored again at
the Ellis Dam Facility. Details to follow.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |