Harold Ray Dardeen Sr., 87, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois passed away on December 31, 2025 at Linda White Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana.
He was born on October 23, 1938, in Wabash County, Illinois. He was the son of Bernard Dardeen and Clo Ellen (Lancaster) Dardeen. He enjoyed 52 years with his first wife, Barbara Jean (Garrett) Dardeen, before her passing on October 1, 2016. He married his second wife, Wanda (Ping Lane) Dardeen, on December 12, 2020 in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, and they enjoyed 5 years together.
Harold served his country in the United States Army for eight years, and worked for Snap-On Tools as a technician for 30 years. He was an avid Aces Fan, loved watching Western movies and loved his grandkids with all his heart and enjoyed watching them play sports. He was a member of Hope Fellowship Church and a Lifetime member of the VFW.
Harold Ray and Wanda were such a loving couple. If you happened to see them out at the grocery store you would always get a big hug and a smile and a hug around your neck. He was one of the sweetest men you would ever meet.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Dardeen; son, Harold Ray “Hot Dog” (Karen) Dardeen Jr. of Mt. Carmel; sister, Mary Price of Knoxville, TN; brother Robert Lewis Dardeen of Mt. Carmel; stepsons, Rick Harms of Mt. Carmel, Richard Harold (Julie) Lane of St. Louis, and Ronnie Matthew (Shelley) Lane of Mt. Carmel; grandchildren, Paige Marie (David) Clendenin, Sydney Michelle (Corey) Carmickle, Jensen Dardeen, Madison Rachelle (Shane) Herrell, Annie Grace (Kiefer) Goldman, Mollie Ann Dardeen, and Luke Robert Dardeen; step grandchildren, Grace and Julia Lane; Connor, Hope, and Grant Lane; Christian Mayberry; Rob Lowe, Vanessa Lowe, Shannon Hughes, and Jon Hughes, and 21 great grandchildren, and one coming in March of 2026; and several nieces and nephews.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Barbara Jean; sons, Robert Ray (Denise) Dardeen and Roger Dale Dardeen; sister Jackie Ellen Sampson; brothers Jim and Russell Dardeen, and infant brother Clinton Dardeen, and infant great-grandson Grayson Wade Goldman.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the Chapel of Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.
Burial will follow the service at Rosehill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions for Harold Ray Dardeen can be made to Hope Fellowship Church. Envelopes will be available at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com.
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Dardeen family.
