What can we say about Eli John Hardiman, known as father to Shirley, Larry, Guy and Gregory.

He was the worst father you could imagine. He was either horribly abusive or totally absent. Only total obedience and fear of him could maintain any semblance of peace.

He was loud, obnoxious, uncaring of anyone but himself, angry, vengeful, spiteful, and selfish. Even his attempts to be kind or loving were totally self-serving. His tears were meant to control and coerce. His anger was used to frighten and intimidate. His expressions of love were to cause guilt and manipulate.

Throughout his life he never accepted responsibility for his actions. He blamed everyone for his misfortune and held on to his resentment. He blamed his first wife for the failure of their marriage. He beat her, he strangled her, he threatened her until she ran away to save her life. He forced her into unwanted sex acts. He slept with other women -- and men.

After she left, he turned to me and used me as wife. He beat the kids, locked us in closets, yelled and screamed, shoved, knocked, and punched us, threw us against walls, pitched hammers and frying pans our way. He burnt me with cigarettes, gave me STD and threatened to kill me when I told. He killed out pets and said if we didn't listen he'd do the same to us.

I can only imagine (and don't want to) what he did to his second wife

John, you are in the hands of God. I hope his judgement of you is deserving of the pain you caused so many others.