Joseph Lonzo Hardin of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Wednesday afternoon, October 22, 2008, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital at the age of 79 years.

Joseph Lonzo Hardin was born on April 20, 1929, in Oologah, Oklahoma, to Mancel and Jewel (Ballard) Hardin. He grew up in various communities in Oklahoma and New Mexico. In 1949 he moved to Blackwell and began working for the Acme Foundry Company. He married Ramona Jean Holland on October 6, 1951, in Newkirk, Oklahoma, and they settled in Blackwell. He worked for twenty-two years for the Turvey Packing Company. In 1973 he began working for the Sante Fe Railroad where he retired in 1993 after twenty years of service. He attended the First Baptist Church in Blackwell. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and visiting with people.

He is survived by his wife, Ramona Hardin of Blackwell, Oklahoma; a son, Lonnie Hardin of Blackwell, Oklahoma; three sisters, Pauline Flippen of Las Vegas, Nevada, Pearl Marshall of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Betty Coutts of Dewey, Arizona; three brothers, Tass Hardin of Las Vegas, Nevada, Riley Hardin of Lovington, New Mexico, and Tom Hardin of Oxford, Kansas; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Virgil Hardin; three sisters, Coila Joyce Hardin, Ima Jean Hardin and Eileen Lampkin; a daughter-in-law, Debbie Hardin; and a granddaughter, Victoria Hardin.

Graveside services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 25th in the Blackwell Cemetery with the Rev. Michael Moers of the First Baptist Church and Lloyd Jones of Newkirk officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church of Blackwell or the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for Heart Research in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home.