CARIBOU – Melfert Perry Hardacker, 79, died May 2, 2005, at Cary Medical Center after a long illness. He was born Aug. 5, 1925, in Woodland, the son of Perry and Vernice (August) Hardacker. Melfert was a World War II disabled veteran who was wounded in combat serving from Nov. 19, 1943 until April 4, 1946. He took part in the second landing on D-Day and fought courageously in Normandy, Northern France. He received the EAMET Campaign Ribbon, the Victory Medal and the Combat Infantry badge for his service. A well-known natural musician, he loved to sing while playing the guitar and piano at local nursing homes or with his fellow tenets at the Caribou Congregate Housing during birthday and Christmas parties. All who enjoyed his music and love for entertainment will miss him. Additionally, he worked for the city of Caribou as the heavy equipment grader operator for many years. Two brothers and their families survive Melfert. They are his brother, Reginald R. Reed and his wife, Lorraine (Gervais) Reed, of Caribou; his brother, Wayne G. Reed and his wife, Pam (Everett) Reed, of Augusta; his niece, Michelle (Reed) Smith, her husband, Johnny, and their children, Morgan and Ashley, of Germantown, Md.; his niece, Celeste (Reed) Hanish, her husband, Brian and their son, Isaac, of Corinna; his nephew, Tim Reed, his wife, Tina, and their son, Tyler, of Hampden; his niece, Kim (Reed) Blackstone, her husband, Dana and their son, Andrew, of Augusta; his father, Perry; his mother, Vernice (Hardacker) Reed. His stepfather, Ruel Leon Reed, who raised him from infancy, predeceased Melfert. Melfert will be deeply missed by his special musical friend, Leslie “Dee” Hargrove; his cousins, Charlie and Bobby Huston; and Sally Walton, his close friend and companion for many years. Relatives and friends may join Melfert’s family 1 p.m. Friday, May 6, for a Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) funeral service at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Caribou. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor his memory may contribute to the new recreation wellness facility addressed to the Caribou Wellness Center Foundation, City of Caribou, 25 High St., Caribou, ME 04736. Arrangements are by the Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou.
MELFERT P. HARDACKER
