Lester "Jake" Hardesty of Cosby, TN formerly of Mechanicsville, MD died at his residence on Monday, February 19, 2007. He was 68 years old.

Born August 23, 1938 in Owings, MD, he was the son of the late Eldridge and Mildred Louise Hance Hardesty. Mr. Hardesty served in the United States Army. He was a retired heavy equipment operator for Chaney Enterprises.

Mr. Hardesty is survived by his wife Marilyn B. Hardesty, of Cosby, TN sons; Anthony D. Hardesty of Hollywood and Matthew W. Hardesty Mechanicsville, MD, daughter Tammy K. Gillingham of Lexington Park, MD, brothers, William H. Hardesty of North Beach, MD, Robert P. Hardesty of Myrtle Beach, SC, sisters, Mildred A. Idol of Lower Marlboro, MD, Audrey Dickerson of North Beach, MD and Debra J. Wester of Sunderland, MD also survived by four grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and numerous neices and nephews. Mr. Hardesty was preceded in death by a brother Eldridge Hardesty, Jr.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 22, 2007 from 2p.m. to 4p.m. and 6p.m. to 8.p.m.in the Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, Charlotte Hall, MD. A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 23, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. in Southern Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Dunkirk, MD with Father Paul Gozaloff officiating.