Vera Ellen Hardesty

Vera Ellen Hardesty, age 96, of Coshocton, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026. She was born on January 28, 1930, in Coshocton County to the late Wilbur and Lilly (McCoy) Moore.She was a 1948 graduate of Conesville High School and on March 5, 1950, she married Charles Hardesty who passed away in 2007.Vera was known as the “Candy Lady” at Newberry’s candy department and then became the Manager of Captain Nye’s Sweet Shop in Roscoe Village for over 20 years. She was a longtime member of the New Moscow United Methodist Church and member of the Coshocton Church of the Nazarene. Vera enjoyed sewing, going to stock car races in Zanesville, and watching her grandkids and great-grandchildren play baseball and softball.She is survived by her three children, Debbie (Larry) Touvelle of Coshocton, Greg (Christine) Hardesty of Millersburg, and Bill (Cheryl) Hardesty of Coshocton. Grandchildren, Sean (Joyce) Hardesty, Billy Hardesty and Mike Hardesty; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law- Norma Moore and Lola Hardesty.Along with her parents and husband, Vera is preceded in death by her grandson, Michael Hardesty, granddaughter, Rachael Hardesty; six siblings, and several sisters and brothers-in-law.Calling hours will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Given-Dawson-Paisley Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 pm with Pastor Ken Smailes officiating. Burial will be held in Franklin Cemetery.For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made in Vera’s name to the New Moscow United Methodist Church in care of Lela Smailes, at 1500 Grant Avenue, Apt. B, Coshocton, Ohio 43812.An online memorial can be viewed at given-dawson-paisleyfh.com.