Orlan Fay Hardgrave, 96, of Festus died Jan. 19, 2021, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mr. Hardgrave worked as an equipment operator for Laclede Gas until his retirement and was a member of Herculaneum United Methodist Church. He was an active member of De Soto Masonic Lodge Post 119, VFW Post 3777 and the Jefferson County Square Dance Club. He has been square dancing since 1973. He enjoyed bird watching, woodworking, telling stories, bluegrass music, fishing, turkey hunting, traveling, spending time at the Current River and spending time with family and friends. Born Oct. 22, 1924, in Coal Hill, Ark., he was the son of the late Cade Lewis and Lou Ellen (McMillian) Hardgrave.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years: Clara Imogene (Phelps) Hardgrave; a son: Roy Dale (Jane) Hardgrave of Festus; a daughter: Deanna Lynn Hardgrave of Columbia, Ill.; six grandchildren: Brian (Nicole) Vinyard, Kevin (Sarah) Vinyard, Carmen Vinyard, Raechel (Geoff) Ingrum, Bryan Webb and Abby (Mark) Click; 19 great-grandchildren: Lily, Elijah, Ezekiel, Malachi, Samuel, Isaac, Olivia, Audrey, Levi, Josiah, Lukas, Zachary, Christian, Thomas, Marcus, Kyle, Hunter, Brandon and Gabriella; and numerous other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by six siblings: Willia Woods, Loren Hardgrave, Girthel Hardgrave, Hester Crawford, Loraine Walker and Aldene Hardgrave; and a granddaughter: Emily Marie Webb.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at Mahn Twin City Chapel, 515 Collins, in Festus. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at the funeral home chapel, officiated by Wayne Roderman. Memorials may be made to De Soto Masonic Lodge Post 119 or Herculaneum United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Twin City Chapel.