Mabel R. Hardesty

Milan, Illinois Mabel R. Hardesty, 99, of Milan, died Tuesday, October 9, 2001, in Rosewood Care Center, Moline. Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Trimble Funeral Home, Moline. Burial is in Rose Lawn Memorial Estate, Moline. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. The former Mabel Danielson was born August 8, 1902, in Milan, the daughter of Gustaf and Anna Matilda (Yeager) Danielson. She married Sesco H. Hardesty, who preceded her in death on July 4, 1969. As a young girl, she and her sister Anna operated the Milan telephone switchboard. In the late 1920's, she and her husband ran the "Shoot the Chute," the merry-go-round, and the shooting range in the amusement park at Black Hawk State Park in Rock Island. They started and operated the first gas station and early convenience store in Milan in the late 1930's. After WW II, the couple farmed in South Moline Township until his death. Mabel was a hard worker with a big heart and a wonderful grandmother. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Rosie Hardesty of Milan; two grandsons, Donavon Hardesty and his wife, Roxanne, and Mark Hardesty; four grandchildren and their spouses, Tony and Missy Hardesty, Lori Rae and Shawn Stottlemeyer, Christina and Travis Bryant, and Jessica Hardesty; and six great-grandchildren, Danielle and Joey Hardesty, Janelle, Amber, and Megan Stottlemeyer, and Matthew Bryant. She was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters. This memorial may be viewed, and condolences sent to the family, at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com. END OF OBITUARY