Ernest Benjamin Hardesty, 84, of Lothian died June 5, 2012, at Doctor’s Hospital in Lanham.

He was born June 1, 1928, in Ritchie to Benjamin and Mary Pauline (Seay) Hardesty.

He was raised in Prince George’s County where he attended public schools. He married Ella Marie Wilson on May 17, 1947, and they made their home in Upper Marlboro for 32 years until moving to Lothian where they have resided for the past 33 years. He was employed as a truck driver for Frisco Lumber Company for 40 years, retiring in May 1994. He was also a lifelong farmer, raising tobacco and a vegetable garden. In his retirement he drove a parts delivery truck for Brinkley Auto Parts in Crofton. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, duckpin bowling, watching baseball and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Virginia Richards, Audrey Duncan, Barbara Jameson, and Richard, Irving, Carroll and Daniel Hardesty.

He is survived by his wife, Ella M. Hardesty of Lothian; son, Roger D. Hardesty Sr., of Great Mills; daughters, Joyce A. Jameson and her husband, Lewey, of Owings and Brenda J. Chase of Lothian; grandchildren, Angie Hooper, Kimberly Burch, Roger Hardesty Jr., Stacey Blazek, Eddie Brickerd and Ashleigh Horn; 18 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Geraldine Hardesty of Baltimore, Annie Griffith of Hague, Va., and Mary Saunders of Tennessee; and brother, Ralph Hardesty of Lothian.

Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today, June 8, at Rausch Funeral Home in Owings, where services and a celebration of his life will be held at noon Saturday, June 9.

Interment will follow at Ft. Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood.