Lowell Emerson Hartzler

WOOSTER -- Lowell Emerson "Lefty" Hartzler, 88, of Wooster, died Saturday, April 14, 2012, at Smithville-Western Care Center, Wooster. He was born March 18, 1924, in Smithville to Nellie May Yoder Hartzler and Mahlon B. Hartzler, and was a 1942 graduate of Smithville High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943-46, as a surgical technician in the 35th General Hospital in New Guinea and the Philippines. He had worked at Ohio Injector, The College of Wooster, The Gerstenslager Co., Quality Castings, sold cars for Chatlain's Motorcenter, was a Fuller Brush salesman and an agent for National Life Insurance. He retired after 20 years as a counselor at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. In retirement, he drove for Rubbermaid Transportation. He was a member of Wooster First Church of God and the American Legion. Surviving are his wife, Marilyn Martin Hartzler, whom he married in 1948; children, Karin (Gary) Snyder, Kenneth (Sue) Hartzler and Kathy (Randy) Mick; grandchildren, Jenny (Matt) Shank, Jeff (Nikki Lehman) Snyder, Jolene (Mike) Smith and Sean Davis; step-grandchildren, Stacy McMurrey, Lynn Denny and Dan Mick; great-grandchildren, Makenzie Shank, Payton Shank, Logan Snyder, Parker Snyder, Shelby Smith and Carson Smith; step-great-grandchild, Sadie Mick; a sister, Dorothy Fuller; nieces and nephews; and a special niece, Ricky (Bill) Wentsch. He was preceded in death by his parents. He will be interred on Friday, April 20 at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Anyone who wishes to be a part of the procession should meet Friday by 10:15 a.m. at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster. Fellowship with the family will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. on Friday at Wooster First Church of God, 1953 Akron Road, with a Celebration of Life Service at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Wooster First Church of God, 1953 Akron Road, Wooster; or Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County, 2525 Back Orrville Road, Wooster 44691. The family wishes to thank many new friends at Wooster Community Hospital, Smithville-Western Care Center and Hospice, who were invaluable to us during the last two weeks.