Benjamin "Ben"  Franklin Hardman, age 80, a  lifelong  resident of Atoka, OK in Wards Chapel area, was born on Friday, April 30, 1937, to Carl Frank and Minnie Lee (Rowton) Hardman, at Farris, OK. Ben passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at  his residence in Atoka, OK. He attended Standing Rock and Atoka High School.
Ben worked for Atoka Public Schools. He worked for Atoka County District 3 operating a road grader, and Mechanical Services. He also worked in the oil field and pipeline industry. Ben proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.
He married Linda (Huckstep) on Saturday, June 13th, 1970 in Missouri. They had 47 wonderful years together.
He was a member of Wapanucka Church of Christ, also a member of Wards Chapel Volunteer Fire Department. Ben loved to hunt and fish, gardening, and enjoyed watching boxing.  Ben was a loving husband and a devoted father and grandfather.
Ben is survived by his wife, Linda Hardman of the home in Atoka, OK; children, Karen Hardman of Atoka, OK, Karla Evans and husband Richard of Atoka, OK, Benjamin Hardman II and wife Connie of Atoka, OK; grandchildren, Lacey Bradford and husband Bradly of Atoka, OK, Remington, Briley, and Bailey Evans, and Flint Hardman,   Kaytin, Hardman, Joey Hardman, and Chase Mobbs of Atoka, OK; great grandchildren, Abbott Bradford, Jett Evans; brothers, Dan Hardman and wife Marleta of Atoka, OK, Sam Hardman and wife Paula of Atoka, OK, Jim Hardman and wife Lisa of Atoka, OK, Dickey Hardman and wife Bonnie of Atoka, OK; sisters, Frankie Faulkenberry and Husband O.L. of Atoka, OK, Nina Robertson of Atoka, OK; sister in law, Kay Dolechek and husband Dave of Claflin, KS; very special friends, Bekah Brewster, Jacob Nutter, Krystal Roth, Hailey Herring, Katie Blevins; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends.
Ben is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Minnie Lee (Rowton) Hardman; brother in law, Gerald Robertson; niece,  Kristy (Robertson) Dennis; sister in law, Joy Hardman.
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DATE OF SERVICES: 2:00 PM Saturday, December 30th, 2017
PLACE OF SERVICES: Brown's Funeral Chapel, Atoka, Oklahoma
OFFICIATING: Kelly Hardman and Wedell Ingram
INTERMENT: Ward's Chapel Cemetery, Atoka, Oklahoma
CASKETBEARERS: Briley Evans, Remington Evans, Flint Hardman, Chase Mobbs, Karl Hardman, Buddy Faulkenberry, James Robertson, Justin Robertson, Tuff Hardman, Dylan Castleberry, Nick Castleberry, Bradly Bradford
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Jerriel Betts, O L Faulkenberry, Gerry Werner, John Faulkenberry, James Allen, A.D. Moore, Dee Hunt, Skeet Hill, Grover Phillips
CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNS@ATOKA.NET .  PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE
FAMILY NIGHT IS FRIDAY 6-8PM.
SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
BROWN'S FUNERAL SERVICE - ATOKA, OK