Joseph Randall Hardesty

Mr. Joseph Randall Hardesty, age 82, of Payneville, KY, passed away on Monday, December 8, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 9, 1943, the son of Joseph Stanislaus and Emma Beatrice “Emma Bea” (Greenwell) Hardesty.

Randall was a member of St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church. He served in the U.S. Army, 1965, Basic Training in Fort Knox, KY, then was stationed in Fort Jackson, S.C. He worked at Lewis Stires Construction in Louisville, KY, and then was employed at Arch Chemical in Brandenburg, KY for 42 years where he later retired. Randall was an avid farmer and lover of animals, large and small. He enjoyed volunteering at the Meade County Fair for many years working with livestock and was an active supporter of the Meade County 4-H/FFA Youth Auctions, National Wildlife Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited and the National Rifle Association. Randall also enjoyed selling and trading farm animals at Dinky’s Auction Barn in Montgomery, IN. Randall dedicated his time to the community serving as Meade County Magistrate of the 6th District for 16 years.

Randall was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 59 years, Jenny Lee (Wemes) Hardesty; his brother, Joseph Stanley Hardesty; his granddaughter, Courtney Elizabeth Mattingly; and his grandson, Eric Montgomery. He is survived by two daughters, Lori (Jeff) Mattingly and Becky (Amos) Claycomb; two sons, Bradley (Sheila) Hardesty and Travis “Mater” Hardesty (Heather Guardiola Metcalf); six grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; his three sisters, Faye Basham, Verna Allgeier and Barbara (Joe) Havill; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, December 12, 2025, at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church with Rev. George Illikkal officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at Hager Funeral Home from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, December 11, and at the church from 9:00 AM until the time of mass on Friday. Vigil services will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday evening at the chapel of the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the WHAS Crusade for Children or to St. Theresa Family Life Center.