Noreen D. Hartard, 87, of Portsmouth, Ohio, died on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at home with family by her side. She was born in Bluffton, Indiana, along with her twin brother, Norman, on July 4, 1937 to Lester and G. Lucille (McLaughlin) Edris. Following graduation from Liberty Center High School, she attended and graduated from the International Business College in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
While in Ft. Wayne, she met Chuck Hartard and they married on September 2, 1961. They were married until Chuck’s death in 2023, celebrating 62 years of marriage.
Noreen loved music and enjoyed playing the piano and organ. She was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was the organist there for many, many years. She also loved to sew & quilt and was a member of the local quilting club.
During her daughters’ younger years, she was a Girl Scout leader and a 4-H leader. For 10 years, she worked in the Trust Dept at Star Bank and then became the secretary at St. Mary’s between 1998-2014. She volunteered frequently at Clare’s Closet and for, 33 years, volunteered in the office at SOMC Hospice. She enjoyed being around her family and friends and found the good in everyone she met.
She is survived by her daughters, Jennifer (Mike) Nicely of Fairfield, OH and Jill Hartard of Loveland, OH. Grandchildren include twins Stacy and Sarah, Tyler, and Stephanie. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Norman & David.
A Mass of Christian will be 11:00 AM Monday, October 14, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. A Mercy Meal will take place after the funeral. Burial will take place at a later date at St. Joseph Cemetery in Wapakoneta, Oh. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to SOMC Hospice 2201 25th St. Portsmouth, OH 45662.
Melcher Hammer Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.