Phillip Jay "Phil" Hardin

Phillip "Phil" Jay Hardin, 79, of Shelby County, passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior on December 2, 2025, at Hancock Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. Born on May 19, 1946, in Rushville, Indiana, Phil lived a life marked by creativity, compassion, and a steadfast devotion to the people and passions that shaped him.

Phil graduated from Morristown High School in 1964 and went on to earn a degree in television and radio broad-casting from Ball State University in 1968. His college years were filled with music and performance – he proudly played the clarinet in the Ball State Marching Band and participated in numerous productions and musicals, where his natural talent and love for the arts were unmistakable.

After college, Phil became an active member of East 91st Street Christian Church, sharing his musical gifts as a devoted member of the choir. He later transferred his membership to Morristown Christian Church and participated in their choir as well.

Phil's professional life included work in real estate and insurance with Penn Mutual.

From the time he was a small child, Phil had a deep love and compassion for animals. He proudly participated in 4-H, showing at both the county and state fair levels. Throughout his life, he admired beauty – beauty in people, in show business, and especially in nature. His rose garden was one of his greatest joys. Phil tended each rose with extraordinary care, creating a space of serenity and beauty for all to enjoy.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Harold J. Hardin and Helen M. Hardin, and by one brother, Randy Bob Hardin.

He is survived by his sister, Sara (Phil) Stout; three nieces, Stephanie (Dwayne) Kirstein, Jennifer (Darren) Webb, and Christina Stout; one nephew, Phillip (Lindsey) Stout; and several great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom will continue to cherish his memory.

Visitation will be from 11 am to 1 pm, Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 124 E. North St., in Morristown.

The funeral service will follow at 1 pm, at the funeral home, with Pastor Fred Hickman officiating.

Interment will be at Arlington East Hill Cemetery in Arlington.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Morristown Christian Church, 209 S. Washington St., Morristown, Indiana 46161.

Online condolences may be shared with Phil's family at www.freemanfamily funeralhomes.com.