Larry Hard

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December 13, 1931 - April 11, 2014

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Visitation

Monday, April 14, 2014 from 5-8 p.m., Moreland Funeral Home

Service

Tuesday, April 15, 2014 10:30 A.M. Church of the Messiah United Methodist

HARD


Lawrence (Larry) L. Hard, age 82, of Westerville, passed away on April 11, 2014.He was born in Columbus, Ohio on December 13, 1931 to Frank and Nan Hard. Member of Bethel Methodist Church. Graduated from Worthington High School and received degrees from Otterbein College and Garrett Theological Seminary. In 1956 he married Betty Turner of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Also in 1956 he was ordained a pastor in the Methodist Church. Larry was pastor of churches in Edon, Lancaster (Sixth Ave), Lima (Shawnee), Westerville (Messiah) and Kettering (Christ Church) retiring in 1998. In 2012 he married Alice Mickey of Wellsboro, PA. He was dearly loved as a father, brother, husband, minister, and friend. His loving spirit, warmth, and humor will be missed. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Betty, and sister, Maryann. He is survived by his wife Alice; son Wes (Darlene) Hard, daughters, Miriam Hard of Ashville, NC and Julia (Brian) Condon of Sherborn, MA; seven grandchildren Ryan, Eric, Susan, Katey, Jack, Cayla, and Cole; great-grandson Nathaniel; sister Evelyn (Norm) Quick; nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the MORELAND FUNERAL HOME, 55 E. Schrock Road, Westerville, Monday from 5-8 p.m.. Funeral service will be held at Church of the Messiah United Methodist, 51 N. State Street, Westerville, OH Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., Rev. Jim Wilson, officiating. Private interment Otterbein Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Church of the Messiah or the United Methodist Committee on Overseas Relief.


Condolences

S. Pat McMahon, osf. - May 6, 2014

Alice,
You probably do not remember me, but I was Director of Pastoral Care when St. Ann’s Hospital first opened in Westerville in 1984. Larry was very welcoming to me and helped me to become involved with the Westerville Area Ministerial Association.
He and I also had some wonderful conversations on our personal theologies and the great similarities which we shared. One year he invited me to preach during the week of Christian Unity and the three of us had brunch afterwards.
Larry was a wonderful man and a wonderful minister. Know that you and your family are in my heart and prayer.
Peace and all good,
Pat McMahon, osf.

Gary Boucher - Apr 21, 2014

You don’t know me but I knew your loved one, Larry. It was my honor to follow him as pastor at Shawnee Church. Larry was loved there as he was at each church he served. We were in Florida for the winter and could not attend his service. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated him and his calling to the ministry of our Lord.

Camille & Gregg Condon - Apr 15, 2014

Julia and Family,
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss…our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Peace, Prayers and Blessings
With Love and Hugs,
Camille and Gregg Condon

Virginia Moore - Apr 15, 2014

My condolences to the family.Larry was a GOOD man who through his ministry and good works helped pave his Golden road to Heaven. May God grant him eternal peace and console his family.

Jing and Betty Chow - Apr 14, 2014

Dear Alice,
Jing and i have been retired, so at our age, we are not able to drive to Columbus for the funeral for Larry. He was a special friend to Jing when he first went to Messiah Church and the two of them became very good friends through the years. We are very sorry to have to miss being there but our hearts and spirits will be with you and the family. We both loved to be greeted by Larry because he was such a warm, loving and caring friend. God bless you and the family. We hope we have the privilege of meeting and greeting you sometime soon. Our love and hugs, Jing and Betty Chow — Otterbein Lebanon

Earl Newberg - Apr 14, 2014

In my first few years of ministry, I had friends
in the Lima district praising Larry Hard.
I did not know him then. But when I came to
know him I could understand why. Decades
later, I was pleased when was invited to lead
a retreat for our staff. In later years I saw
at random events including alumni meetings
of the Otterbein fraternity we each shared at
different college eras. Whenever I saw him
I found him to be interested in my well
being. I well understand why colleagues
praised him. I am sorry I can not be at the
visitation or funeral. Please accept my
deep sympathy. Earl Newberg

Shirley and Ned Dewire - Apr 14, 2014

Alice, we greet you and celebrate the times we had together, after you married Larry, and became acquainted. we are shocked by the news of Larry’s death, and cannot help but wonder what was going on, after all he is “our age”. Larry was a great pastor in the WOC. he has inquisitive mind. he had great pastoral heart. he kept up with ideas. he encouraged others and made you feel special. we will miss him.
shirley and ned dewire

Rev. Kenneth Clark - Apr 14, 2014

Larry and I were contemporaries. I learned to admire him early in my ministry, which began as an associate at Worthington, when he shared his connection to the area with me. He has always been an example for me of the finest in pastoral leadership: gentle, warm, caring, intelligent and fully conscious of the role of the church as a servant to the community. I invited him to preach for a Lenten series when I was in Bellefontaine because I wanted our people to be blessed by his spirit. We will all miss him very much but we are strengthened by his example. Sincere sympathy to his family. Rev. Kenneth Clark

J. GARY CAMPBELL - Apr 14, 2014

We were shocked to learn of Larry’s death! Joy and I were pleased that Larry seemed encouraged to re-marry when he knew the two of us had found each other in a happy second marriage. My first wife and I got to know Larry and Betty when we moved to Westerville in 1980. We were blessed to be fellow-pastors in Westerville for several years.

Richard Coldwell - Apr 14, 2014

Alice and family:
I was blessed to follow Larry at Christ Church in Kettering and to thus get to know him as the caring and gentle, faithful and intelligent man that he was…the definition of a good pastor. He was missed when he retired from Christ Church, and we miss him with you now.
Blessings,
Rev. Dick Coldwell

Kathleen Kisner - Apr 13, 2014

I began my ministry as Larry’s associate at Christ UMC. He was on my interview team for ordination and expressed interest to the cabinet about having me as his new associate. Larry was a wonderful leader and mentor. His sense of humor set a wonderful tone for the entire staff. He had a remarkable gift for managing difficult people in such a way, they did not even realize it. He and Betty were very welcoming to Craig and I and helped us get our ministry off to a great start.
I am sorry I will not be able to attend the service or visitation. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. His legacy lives on through my ministry. May Christ grant you comfort and healing during this time.

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