Shirley Jean Hardbarger

Shirley Jean Legg Hardbarger (87) went to be with Jesus and her loved ones on April 8, 2026. She passed peacefully at home in the presence of her family. Shirley was a faithful servant of God and one of the founding members of the Pataskala Church of Christ. She served many years in the church bus ministry and in Sunday school. She would often say when entering the sanctuary, “That pew there has my name on it.” When asked what she hoped others had learned from her, she said, “I hope they learn to have a love for Jesus.” Shirley was married to her husband, Clint, for just shy of 50 years. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Mearl and Opal (Sisson) Legg; her children, Robert Clinton, Dianna Lynn, and Sherry Jean (Goff) Hardbarger; her sisters, Avalen Daniels, Thelma Crago, and Brenda Gable; and her brothers, Jimmy and Danny Legg. She is survived by her sister, Hazel Wright, and her brothers, Jackie Legg and Jerry Legg. Shirley was most proud of her family and loved them all deeply with her whole heart. She will be greatly missed by her daughters, Jenny (Jay) Hatton and Peggy (Kevin) Ferrell; her grandchildren, Kayla (Erik) Thacker, Tyler Hatton, Libby (Brydan) Rahrig, and Luke (Lauren) Ferrell; and her great-grandchildren, Theo and Violet Rahrig, and Briar and Ember Thacker. Shirley worked in the service industry as an assistant manager and chef before retiring to her second—and favorite—career as “Nanny.” She had a wonderful sense of humor, loved singing and cooking, and had a special fondness for Elvis Presley. Over the years, her hobbies included sewing and making clothes for her family. She often shared how grateful she was to Esther Daniels for teaching her how to sew. She also enjoyed watching Western movies and could be found on Saturdays in the fall cheering on the Buckeyes. She was simply wonderful. Funeral services will be held at the Pataskala Church of Christ on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Visitation will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with the service immediately following. Roger Massey will officiate. Shirley will be laid to rest at Obetz Cemetery by her immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at: www.cff.org

Shirley Jean Hardbarger

October 23, 1938 - April 8, 2026