Barbara Dee Dearmin Wharton Hardman was born February 24, 1927, in Newburgh, New York; the daughter of W. Fred and Cleta (Laughlin) Dearmin. She completed this life at her home on Monday, July 10, 2023, at the age of 96.

Barbara was raised in Odon, IN, where she graduated from high school. She graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, MO, with a degree in Aviation and then graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Geology.

Barbara married Porter Wharton, Jr. in 1949 and they moved to Elkhart, Indiana, where their three children were born. In 1960, Porter became Director of Public Relations for Kerr-McGee Corp., and the family moved to Oklahoma City. In the 1960's, Barbie was a stay-at-home mother while being very active in her church, her children's schools and Republican politics. Barbie sang in the choir, played in the bell choir and was the first woman to serve on the board of trustees of Mayflower Congregational Church. She was very active in Nichols Hills Elementary P.T.A. and served as president of the P.T.A. of John Marshall High School.

She served as an administrator of the 1970 Census, as campaign manager in state Republican campaigns and was appointed co-chairman of the Governor's commission on the Status of Women by Governor Dewey Bartlett.

After the death of her husband Porter in 1974, she went to work as a Petroleum Geologist at Kerr-McGee, then later for Southeast Exploration and Texas Oil and Gas CO. In 1977, she married James T. Hardman, who died in 1984.

Barbie was a licensed pilot, an avid skier, sailor, and golfer. She lived her life to the fullest and enjoyed every minute of it!

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Porter Wharton Jr. and James Hardman; her brother, Joe Mason Dearmin; and her beloved son, Porter Wharton, III.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Sally Frank and her husband, Terry, of Laguna Beach, CA;

her son, Thad Wharton and his wife Jennifer, of San Carlos, CA; her step-daughter, Julie Reichert of Edmond; her step-sons, Jon Hardman and his wife Cheryl and Dr. Greg Hardman and his wife Nancy of OKC; her grandchildren, Porter Wharton IV, Harper Wharton, Taylor Frank (Jamie), Mason Frank (Allison), Lacha Tabor (Brandon), Keith Reichert (fiancé, Michelle), Tyler Hardman (Ivanna), Wes Hardman (Alex), Sean Hardman (Nickie), Greg Hardman, Meghan, Marissa and Jordan Ballard, Jimmy Whitehead (Jennifer); and her great grandchildren, Reagan, Wyatt, Maverick, Oliver, Kash, Abigail, Leon, Colton, Nathan, Josh, Anna and Kaitlyn

The family would like to express their gratitude to Sheila Lasher, and to her family, for all the love, care and devotion over the last 5 years.

Memorial service will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 21, 2023 in the Vondel Smith Mortuary North Chapel, 13125 N. MacArthur Blvd.

For those who desire, memorials may be made in Barbara's name to the charity of their choice.