Ernest P. Hardway

2026 - 2026

Longtime West Newton resident Ernest Paul Hardway died on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Celebration Villa in Baldwin. Paul was born on Sept. 30, 1933, in Fairmont, WV, to the late Criss and Flossie (Van Buren) Hardway. After graduating from East Fairmont High School, he moved to Pennsylvania and started an apprenticeship program to be an electrician, which led to a long career at US Steel. His career as an electrician included time in service with the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Germany in the mid-1950s. Upon return from the Army, he continued his career and married his wife, Marcelyn "Jo" Swisher, also a native of Fairmont. They started a family and settled in their home in West Newton. Paul enjoyed hunting, fishing, Bible study, gospel music, TV sports, Western movies, and lawn and garden work. In fact, up until age 90, you would often see him on his tractor or using his weed eater or other garden tools to tend his property. He was the primary caregiver for Jo as she battled ovarian cancer and passed in 2017. In addition to his wife, Paul was preceded in death by sisters, Texie Vuckovich and Nelsie Ray (both of West Newton); brother, Hobert (also of West Newton); brothers, Delbert (of Fairmont, WV) and Delfred (who died as an infant); and his granddaughter, Joanna Hardway (of York). He is survived by sisters, Nina Nichols and Lois Fleming, both of Fairmont; son, Mark (wife, Annie) of York; son, Robert (wife, Yadira) of West Newton; and grandson, Jason Hardway (wife, Jessica) and their children, Camille and Ezra of Dallastown; along with many nieces and nephews. At Paul's request, there will be no funeral service. Inurnment will be with his wife at West Newton Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to J. WILLIAM MCCAULEY JR. FUNERAL HOME, West Newton. Condolences may be left at http://www.mccauleyfuneralhome.com.