David L. "Dave" Hardebeck, age 81 and lifelong Tipton County resident, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Riverview Health Hospital in Noblesville following complications from diabetes.  He was born on June 16, 1935 in Elwood, the son of Paul A. and Mary A. (Hobbs) Hardebeck.  Dave worked in production at Steel Parts Corporation in Tipton for 40 years, and was also a lifelong grain, cattle, and hog farmer, owning Hardebeck Farms in Tipton County.  He attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Elwood, and later graduated in 1953 from Wendell L. Willkie High School in Elwood.  Dave was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood where he was baptized as a child.  He served in the Army National Guard as a young man so that he could also continue to work on his family farm.  He married the love of his life, Violet M. Glotzbach, on February 9, 1957, and they shared over 37 years of marriage together until her unexpected passing in 1994.

Dave was passionate about farming, and his work ethic was unmatched.  He was happiest when he was working on his farm – caring for farmland and livestock all of his life.  Much of his passion for farming came from working with his father at Hardebeck Farms as a young person and adult.  Dave was known to keep his children breathless and busy working on moving and stacking hay, while he was busy loading the elevator with hay bales.  He was known to do this work into his 70's, keeping a grown daughter, son-in-law, and 2 older grandsons just as busy and breathless to keep up with his pace.  He seldom vacationed or left the area because of his love of the Hardebeck farm.  He was also passionate about John Deere Tractors.  Dave especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren that were all very special to him.  He will always be remembered as being a very independent, resourceful, and hardworking man.  Dave is no doubt tending to God's farmland in Heaven.

David's family includes 4 children, Gary L. Hardebeck; Diane L. (husband Paul) Piel, Debbie S. (husband Gregg) Howsmon, and Kristi S. (husband Jeff) Leap; 4 sisters, Margaret McMinn, Francis Tulowitzky, Nancy (husband Terry) Downey, and Barbara Rivers; beloved friend, Carolyn Hardebeck; sister-in-law, Judy Hardebeck; 11 grandchildren, Andrea Hardebeck, Elaina Hardebeck, Melissa (husband Joshua) Dillon, Paul (wife Katie) Powell, Andrew Powell, Adam (wife Heather) Howsmon, Daniel (wife Bryanna) Howsmon, Matthew Howsmon, Hanna Howsmon, Nathan Leap, and Courtney Leap; 5 great-grandchildren, Megan Ewers, Evan Powell, Ellie Powell, Emma Powell, and Hadley Howsmon; and numerous nieces and nephews.  David was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Violet M. (Glotzbach) Hardebeck; brother, Joseph Hardebeck; sister, Norma (Hardebeck) Jones; granddaughter, Laura Howsmon; and brother-in-law, Monte Rivers.

A funeral service celebrating David's life will be conducted at 11:00 am on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Father Dan Duff of the St. Joseph Church officiating.  Entombment will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery Mausoleum in Elwood.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 8 pm on Monday, June 12, 2017 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hilton Hobbs Scholarship Fund through the funeral home.  Online expressions of condolence may be made at copherfeslermay.com.