Leland H. “Lee” Hartle, 88, passed away unexpectedly in his Warsaw home on Saturday, June 29, 2024.
Lee was born in Fulton County, on Oct. 31, 1935, to Charles L. and Clara Kepher Hartle. He graduated from Aubbeenaubbee Township High School in Leiters Ford with the class of 1953.
One day while getting gas at the filling station by the old Elks Lodge, Lee was asked by a friend to take a pretty girl for a ride and their love was instant. He would work at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw. In Etna Green, on June 7, 1958, Lee married Mary J. Miner in the United Brethren Church. They would make Warsaw their home, welcome two sons and cherish 66 years together.
Lee became owner of Gulf Service Station in Warsaw in 1963. Near that same time, he also served as a volunteer firefighter until he went full time in 1965. Lee served on the Warsaw Fire Department for 35 years until his retirement in 1999. Lee was awarded Fireman of the Year in 1985. He also worked as an electrician for Rife Electric and then started Lee Hartle Electric in 1980 until 2007. He was a member of the Warsaw First United Methodist Church.
Lee enjoyed his community and gave of his time in many social networks/memberships including: Kiwanis, president of the Little League, Wagon Wheel director, past president of Camp Mouenhour, a member of the Historical Society, Tiger Boosters, Rozella Golf Course and Farm Bureau. The couple have been Tiger basketball seat ticket holders since 1965.
In 1981, the couple took their first vacation to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and saw a group of retired seniors who couldn’t make the hike. From then on, they decided to take a vacation every year and live every day to its fullest until they weren’t able to. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and a few friends occasionally, to all 50 states, Canada, Europe, Israel and Africa. Australia and New Zealand were still on his bucket list. He loved camping and horseback riding with his wife, siblings and family. They meant so much to him.
Lee is deeply missed by his wife, Mary; son, Shane (Lynne) Hartle; and daughter-in-law, Nancy Hartle, all of Warsaw; four grandchildren: Jacob, A.J., Chelsey (Eddie) Sexton and Sarah (Brad) Cameron: two great-grandchildren, Payton and Myles; sisters, Rose Osborne and Joan Lowell; brother, Richard Hartle; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Samuel Hartle; parents; and siblings: Hazel, Irene, Imogene, Dorothy, Raymond, Robert, James, Kenneth and Paul.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, July 8 at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Brian Smith officiating.
Burial will be at a later date in the Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Memorial contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church, 179 S Indiana St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
To sign the guestbook or send a condolence to the family please visit www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.