Mark David Hardiman, 51, of Lyles Station, rural Princeton, died at 1 p.m. Monday at Deaconess Hospice in Evansville after a short illness.

Mark was born April 1, 1960 in Princeton, the son of Edgar A. and Joyce Grimes Hardiman.

His mother died in November 2007.

His father survives in Evansville. He also leaves one sister, Karen (Darrell) Ragland of Evansville, a brother, Michael (Nida) Hardiman of Los Angeles; three children, Brittney Ray (fiancée John Hardin) of Princeton, Blake Ray of Princeton, and Brandey of Princeton. He leaves three grandchildren, Drake Hardin, Kyan Hardin and Lance Ray, all of Princeton.

He also leaves his aunt Barbara Byrd of Cincinnati, Uncle Kenneth Grimes of Evansville and aunt Nancy Grimes of Boonville, nieces and nephews Darrell Jr. "DJ" Ragland, Channelle Ragland, David (Annie) Ragland, Brandon Ragland and James Hardiman and Michelle Hardiman.

Mark was a 1979 graduate of Princeton Community High School where he was a baseball and basketball player.

For the past 10 years he was a delivery driver and facilities maintenance man at the Princeton Daily Clarion. He had also worked in maintenance at Vincennes Lincoln High School. Print customers of the newspaper remember his excellent customer service and quick smile.

He loved the outdoors and nature and enjoyed watching NASCAR as well as IU basketball and Colts football. He had great love for his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. His favorite saying was, "I ain't nothing but a country boy."

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, conducted by John Jamerson, a minister at Wayman Chapel and Nazarene Baptist Church. Burial follows at Sand Hill Cemetery.