Von Allen Hardman

Von Allen Hardman, 86 of Santee, South Carolina, beloved husband of 61 years to Karen Zeigler Hardman passed away suddenly on Thursday, July 27, 2023.  Born on June 17, 1937 in Spencer, West Virginia. Von was the son of the late James Floyd Hardman and Eula Gandee Hardman.

Von is a member of the Spencer, West Virginia High School Football Hall of Fame.  He received a football scholarship to The Ohio State University and was a member of the 1961 National Championship and Big Ten Championship Team.  He is a lifetime member of Varsity “O” and has been an Athletic Committeeman for 58 years recruiting student athletes for OSU. 

After college Von joined the Army and was a member of the Army Reserves for 6 years.  He played some semi-pro football with the Akron Vulcans and then started his true love – building.  He owned Hardman Construction Company in Akron, Ohio and built custom homes and pole buildings (stables & arenas).  He loved woodworking and after retiring and moving to Santee Cooper Resort he built many decks and volunteered to work on various projects throughout the Resort including work on the Marina and the parking area at the public dock.

He is a member of Elloree United Methodist Church and was a member of Copley, Ohio and Santee, SC Lions Club.  One of his most cherished accomplishments was running the Lion’s Blind Fishing Tournament.  Participants came from Columbia and Charleston and could hardly wait for the yearly event.

Von cherished his family and loved people.  We always said he never meant a stranger.  He was a very giving and caring person with a huge heart and always had another story to tell.  If you needed help – call Von and he would do his best!  He inspired many with his spirit and never quit attitude after losing most of his eyesight in 2008, however, he continued to have a project going.  He loved boating, fishing, tailgating at football games, hunting, & his “Buckeyes”.

Von is survived by his wife, Karen Hardman; brother, Lowell Hardman; brother-in-law, Dave Schaad and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Virginia and Lyn Worden; nephews Tom Hardman, James Schaad, Douglas (Alicia) Worden, Gregory (Vicki) Worden; nieces, Teresa Eggerud, Sherri Hardman, Lisa Board, Courtney Alexander, Leslie (Fred) Church and many great nieces and nephews.  Von is preceded in death by his parents; brother James Neil Hardman; sisters, Mona Lou Hardman and Nedra June Schaad.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 5, 2023, from 10-11am at Elloree United Methodist Church, 501 Barkley St., Elloree.  A Celebration of Life will follow at 11 am.  Burial will conclude at Jerusalem United Methodist Church, 7347 Old Number Six Hwy., Santee.  The service will be lived streamed on the Avinger Facebook page for those unable to attend.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Elloree United Methodist Church, 501 Barkley St., Elloree, SC 29047, American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at avingerfh.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Avinger Funeral Home, 2274 Eutaw Rd., Holly Hill, SC 29059, (803)496-3434.