Stephen L. Hartzler
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
He was born May 14, 1932, in Miami County, to Lester “Joe” and Helen Marie Thompson Hartzler. On June 17, 1951, in the Athens EUB Church, he married Kathryn I. Walters, who preceded him in death July 13, 2015.
He was raised on the farm, and his first job was at General Tire, Wabash. He worked his way on to Sonoco Products Company, Akron, where he retired as plant superintendent. During his 32 years at Sonoco, he and his wife raised their family while working their successful livestock and farming operation. His family’s involvement in 4-H led to a Hereford herd that they maintained throughout their lives.
He moved from Gilead to the Akron area the summer before his senior year. He continued to play basketball and baseball at Akron High School before graduating in 1950. There he also met his future wife, Kathryn Walters.
He started his political career as a Republican precinct committeeman. In 1980, he was elected as a Fulton County councilman and later, a Fulton County commissioner, where he served as president. He served on numerous political boards and was a current member of Fulton County’s Alcoholic Beverage Board. He was awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash. He also served on the 4-H Fair Board and Community Foundation Board.
Steve and wife, Kathryn, were avid sports fans, having held season tickets at Tippecanoe Valley High School for the boy’s basketball games since the school’s inception, as well as having season tickets to the Notre Dame women’s basketball games for many years.
Surviving are two daughters, Stephenia Barkman, Rochester, and Melinda (and spouse Pete) Pratt, Rochester; a son, Mark (and spouse Deb) Hartzler, Akron; five grandchildren: Melea Powell-Hoffer, Stephen Heinzmann, Stacey McGriff, Blaine Hartzler and Ashley Marrs; four step-grandchildren: Stacy Barkman, Scott Barkman, Tara Wolfe and Tabitha Floor; 19 great-grandchildren, anticipating the birth of a great-granddaughter; a sister, Patsy (and spouse Channing) Utter, Akron; and a brother, Larry (and spouse Bev) Hartzler, Akron. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Richard “Jack” and Jerome Hartzler.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron, with Pastor Phil Pratt officiating. Burial will be in Akron Cemetery.
Calling is from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
*****
Memorials to Stephen and Kathryn Hartzler Memorial Scholarship entrusted at the Northern Indiana Community Foundation
Send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com
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He was born May 14, 1932, in Miami County, to Lester “Joe” and Helen Marie Thompson Hartzler. On June 17, 1951, in the Athens EUB Church, he married Kathryn I. Walters, who preceded him in death July 13, 2015.
He was raised on the farm, and his first job was at General Tire, Wabash. He worked his way on to Sonoco Products Company, Akron, where he retired as plant superintendent. During his 32 years at Sonoco, he and his wife raised their family while working their successful livestock and farming operation. His family’s involvement in 4-H led to a Hereford herd that they maintained throughout their lives.
He moved from Gilead to the Akron area the summer before his senior year. He continued to play basketball and baseball at Akron High School before graduating in 1950. There he also met his future wife, Kathryn Walters.
He started his political career as a Republican precinct committeeman. In 1980, he was elected as a Fulton County councilman and later, a Fulton County commissioner, where he served as president. He served on numerous political boards and was a current member of Fulton County’s Alcoholic Beverage Board. He was awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash. He also served on the 4-H Fair Board and Community Foundation Board.
Steve and wife, Kathryn, were avid sports fans, having held season tickets at Tippecanoe Valley High School for the boy’s basketball games since the school’s inception, as well as having season tickets to the Notre Dame women’s basketball games for many years.
Surviving are two daughters, Stephenia Barkman, Rochester, and Melinda (and spouse Pete) Pratt, Rochester; a son, Mark (and spouse Deb) Hartzler, Akron; five grandchildren: Melea Powell-Hoffer, Stephen Heinzmann, Stacey McGriff, Blaine Hartzler and Ashley Marrs; four step-grandchildren: Stacy Barkman, Scott Barkman, Tara Wolfe and Tabitha Floor; 19 great-grandchildren, anticipating the birth of a great-granddaughter; a sister, Patsy (and spouse Channing) Utter, Akron; and a brother, Larry (and spouse Bev) Hartzler, Akron. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Richard “Jack” and Jerome Hartzler.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron, with Pastor Phil Pratt officiating. Burial will be in Akron Cemetery.
Calling is from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
*****
Memorials to Stephen and Kathryn Hartzler Memorial Scholarship entrusted at the Northern Indiana Community Foundation
Send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com
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