Submitted by: John C. Monk

Christopher L. Hardy

April 14, 1972 – July 21, 2000

 Christopher Leigh Hardy, 28, residing on US 31 South, Lakeville, Ind., died on Friday afternoon, July 21, in the emergency room of Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Ind., from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident on US 31 South and Roosevelt Road.  Chris's girlfriend, Melissa Jean Collins was also killed in the accident.

He was born on April 14, 1972. In South Bend, and graduated from James Whitcomb Riley High School,

He is survived by his mother, Mary (Bunch) Hardy of Elkhart Ind,; His father and stepmother, Bruce and Mary Hardy of South Bend, He is also survived by his maternal grandmother; Deloris Combs of Walkerton, Ind., and paternal grandmother, Velma; Hardy of Lakeviile; and by two brothers, Brentt Hardy of Lakeville and Michael Hardy of Fort Wayne, Ind .

Chris was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Ray E. Hardy on June 30, 1995.

Melissa and Christopher were engaged  to  be  married. They enjoyed collecting NASCAR cars, racing and camping. 

Joint services for Chris  and Melissa will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, in the Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25, in the Palmer Funeral Home.

Published in the South Bend Tribune;  July 23, 2000.