Cleo Hartzler

Cleo E. Hartzler, age 84, of Topeka, IN passed away on Monday, August 4, 2014 at 9:20 PM at home surrounded by his family. He was born on February 19, 1930 to Dana and Dorothy (Zimmerman) Hartzler in Topeka, Indiana. On October 3, 1953 Cleo married Phyllis Oesch in Mishawaka, Indiana. She survives. He graduated from Topeka High School and was also a graduate of Goshen College. He was a farmer and rancher. He attended the LaGrange First Church of God and was able to take a mission trip to Honduras. He had a love for people and enjoyed giving back to his community by serving on numerous boards and committees. Surviving are his wife, Phyllis; two children, Diane (Randy) Harvell of Middlebury, Kent of Ligonier; two grandchildren, Brooke (fiance’ Marco Gabriele) Harvell of Middlebury, Casey Hartzler, of Ligonier; and one sister, Carolyn Hartzler Leichty of Auburn; two step grandchildren, Melissa (Jeff) Atkinson of Elkhart, and Amy Harvell of Indianapolis; two step great-granchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two siblings, Nolen and Marilyn. A Celebration of Life service will be held in Mr. Hartzler’s honor on Saturday, August 9 at 11 AM at the LaGrange First Church of God in LaGrange, Indiana with Pastors Nancy Warren and Harold Gingerich officiating. A gathering will be at Maple Grove Church in Topeka, IN at 9:30 AM to process to the cemetery for the committal. There will be a time of visitation on Thursday, August 7 and Friday, August 8, 2014 from 4-7 PM at Maple Grove Church in Topeka. Memorial contributions may be directed to LaGrange First Church of God’s Mission Fund.