Dorothy Hardwick

(From Parker Mortuary)

Visitation and Graveside services were held Saturday at Parker Morturary and Osborne Memorial Cemetery and officiated by the Rev. Joe Crosthwait, of St. Paul's United Methodist Church for Dorothy Carol Longacre Hardwick, 96,who passed away peacefully on October 31, 2013. She was a community leader who lived in Joplin, MO, for 85 years.

The daughter of William H. Longacre and Mabel Virginia Butler Longacre, Dorothy was born on December 25, 1916, in Joplin, MO. She graduated from Joplin High School in 1934 and enrolled at the Joplin Business College.

On July 25, 1939, she married William Glenn Forrest, who co-owned and managed the Rex Movie Theatre. The couple welcomed a son, William Glenn Forrest, Jr., the following year. On February 18, 1943, William Forrest Sr. passed away due to complications from tuberculosis.

Dorothy married George Robert Hardwick, Jr. on February 24, 1949, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Their daughter, Janis Carol Hardwick, was born on August 28, 1950. After nearly 30 years of marriage, George Robert Hardwick, Jr. passed away on March 29, 1977, after a long illness.

Dorothy began working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1943. She later took a managerial position with Ozark Laundry and Dry Cleaning Machinery Company and retired as the Chief Financial Officer in the 1980's.

Dorothy enjoyed politics, working locally in the Democratic Party and the Joplin Women's Democratic Clubs holding executive positions in both. She also served on the League of Women Voters and the Election Board. And worked every election until moving to Lee's Summit, MO.

After retiring, Dorothy filled her days, enjoying family, friends and grandchildren, and serving the community and her church.

Throughout her life, Dorothy volunteered with countless organizations including Gnosis F.C.E. (Extension Club), The Printers Auxiliary, ITU, Joplin Women’s Club, St. John’s Auxiliary, Y.W Matron’s Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Girl Scouts, and the Joplin High School Class of 1934 Reunion Committee. She was also a longtime member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church where she was an active member in the Becon Light Sunday school class until her health declined in 2002 and she moved to John Knox Village in Lee's Summit, MO. to be near her daughter.

In 2006, she moved to Andover, KS, to be closer to her son and his family and entered Life Care Center of Andover, Andover, KS.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her sister, Mary, in 1915; her brother William Longacre, Jr., in 2012; her mother, Virginia, in 1951; her father, William, in 1967; her husband, William Forrest, in 1943; and her husband, George Robert Hardwick, in 1977.

Survivors include her two children: a son, William Forrest, Jr., and his wife Sally of El Dorado, KS; and a daughter, Janis Hardwick Simmons and her husband Tom of Pleasant Hill, MO. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Susan Forrest, El Dorado, KS; Kathy Forrest Shum and husband Jim, El Dorado, KS; Bill Forrest and wife Sarah, Chantilly, VA; Shery Forrest Crater and husband TJ, Edmonds WA; Chris Simmons and wife Kristy, Pleasant Hill, MO; and Robyn Simmons, Arlington, VA. Dorothy was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Gretchen and Josh Shum; Blake and Carter Forrest; Baylee Crater; and Cole and Chase Simmons. She also leaves behind a sister, Helen Wilson of Neosho; three nieces, and two nephews.

Donations in her memory, can be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in care of Parker Mortuary.

Online condolences may be made at www.parkermortuary.com.