Mark Hardwick

Mark Anthony Hardwick, age 73, of West, passed away Wednesday evening, March 20, 2024 surrounded by his family at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Hospital in Waco.

Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2024 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Dr. John Crowder officiating. Burial will follow at White Rock Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Mark was born October 1, 1950 in Waco, the son of Richard and Janell (Willis) Hardwick. He was a 1969 graduate of Connally High School. On June 12, 1971 he was united in marriage to Deborah "Debbie" Conner in Waco. Mark proudly served his country in the United States Army stationed in San Antonio helping out as a medic at the base hospital. Mark was a member of the First Baptist Church of West. He was also member of the Knights of Columbus Council #2305 . He was the body shop manager at Jerrel Bolton Chevrolet and Sykora Family Ford for many years. Mark enjoyed cooking barbecue, telling jokes, going on cruises, gambling at WinStar, watching western movies and was an avid John Wayne fan. He loved spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren, who he took great pleasure in aggravating. Mark never missed an opportunity to tell Debbie, "I love you with a Purple Passion". He was a terrific storyteller, known to be a food critic, and squirrel hunter. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Mark is preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Charles "Bud" and Faye Conner; brother-in-law, Butch Scott; and his nephew, Tim Russell.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 53 years, Debbie Hardwick of West; his children, Jason Hardwick and wife Bobbie Jo of Waco, Jana Pratka and husband David of West, and Joni Hardwick of West; his grandchildren, Madison Hardwick, Jase Hardwick, Brayden Hardwick, Conner Pratka, Jaxson Pratka, Landon Eubanks and girlfriend, Reese Witmer, Layton Fuston, Zack Sheffield and wife Perla, Kaylyn Waters and husband Jacob, and Keaton Pratka; his great grandchildren, Ami, Luke, Talia, Samuel, and Sophie; his brothers, Joe Hardwick and wife Cyndy, and Jeff Hardwick and wife Darla; his sisters-in-law, Betty Tompkins and husband Miles, Lou Scott, and Sandy Russell and husband Dannis; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Active pallbearers are Landon Eubanks, Conner Pratka, Jase Hardwick, Jaxson Pratka, Layton Fuston, Doug Hand, Cody Harris, Matt Russell, and Tom Willis. Honorary pallbearers will be his Sykora Family Ford Body Shop Crew.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses (see link to donate to tribute fund below).