Carl Edsel Hardin

Carl Edsel Hardin, age 87, of Miner, MO, died Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston, MO.

He was born May 31, 1939, in Lepanto, AR, to the late Ada Blevens Milligan and Marvin Milligan. As a young man they moved from Nelsonville, AR to Wardell, MO where at the age of 18 he worked as a farmer for Felix Mangrum and for the Pemiscot Packing House. After the passing of Marvin Milligan, Carl and his mother worked on the Thatcher Family Farm where his future wife, Savannah Thatcher resided, though fate would bring them together later in life. After farming, Carl moved to Sikeston, MO, where he began his journey with a lifelong career in commercial trucking. Beginning with McKnight-Keaton, Malone and Hyde, Potlatch, Wetterau and then for 26 years with ABF Freight System, Inc. out of Cape Girardeau, MO and Springfield, Illinois where he made his home for a number of years. After his retirement, he moved back to Sikeston in 2001.

Carl was a member of the Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 574 in Cape Girardeau; the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 916 in Springfield, IL; he was affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of America; the Million Mile Safe Driving Award for ABF; 20 years of Safe Driving Award as a professional truck driver without any accidents for ABF, while carrying loads to all 48 continental states.

Carl was an avid motorcycle rider and loved his Harley Davidson motorcycles. He was a longtime member of the Harley Owners Group (HOG). He received numerous awards and trophies for his motorcycle.

He was raised in the Pentecostal faith, later saved and baptized at the former North Acres General Baptist Church in Sikeston, while growing deeper in his faith at the Mt. Calvary Church in Springfield, IL. One of his greatest joys was visiting the Holy Land in 1987, where he walked in the steps of his Savior, Jesus Christ, traveling through Jerusalem, Nazareth, Jericho and even floated in the Dead Sea.

Carl never met a stranger or had a loss for words. He lived out his faith, helping and serving others in any way he could. Kind hearted and selfless, he was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need, from his friends, family and neighbors. He was especially fond of the work done by Shriners Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, MO, of which he supported generously through the years.

Carl loved his family. Taking his grandchildren on many vacations, day trips and motorcycle rides. He enjoyed fishing, rabbit hunting, and even raised rabbits in his younger days under his own business, “Hardin’s Rabbitry.” After retiring he enjoyed restoring and riding old bicycles, discovering antiques, attending auctions or any hobbies that would lead him outside.

On July 5, 2002, he married Savannah Sue Thatcher. She survives of the home in Miner.

Also surviving are his children from a previous marriage, Phillip Dwayne (Rhonda) Hardin; Carla Faye (Lester) Powell and Gayla Ann Evans; Savannah’s children, Charles Edward Sizemore; Harold (Sheila) Sizemore, Nora Lea (Grant) Porter and Savannah Sue Sizemore Jr.; the grandchildren, Melinda, Angela, Cooper, Justin, Leslie, Andrew, Heather, Clayton, Heather, Amber, Richie, Danielle, Evan, Hadasah, Eric, Zane and Chas; also, a number of great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Joe Hardin.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral hour at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston.

Interment will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, the family kindly requests memorial gifts be made to The Shriners Hospital, 4400 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110 or at https://www.shrinerschildrens.org.