Richard E. “Dick” Hartsell, age 84, a longtime resident of Swanton, OH, was peacefully reunited with his lost love of 61 years, Martha on Wednesday afternoon, April 8, 2015. Dick was born in Defiance on November 27, 1930 to the late Byron L. Hartsell and Vilenna (Mosier) Hartsell. He was a Veteran having served with the U.S Army.
Dick was blessed with a talent in baseball which allowed him to play shortstop and 2nd base in minor league ball with teams in Florida and later in Kentucky. While playing in Kentucky, Dick met the love of his life Martha Yates and later were united in marriage on December 26, 1952. After baseball he worked as a milkman for Driggs Dairy and later as a lift truck operator and emboss operator at Kaiser Aluminum. Dick was a proud member of Swanton Alliance Church for over 20 years.
Dick’s fondest hobbies included following his Detroit Tigers and OSU Buckeyes, along with church activities, gardening and spending time with his family and friends.
Loving the Lord with all his heart he and Martha volunteered as Sunday school teachers and served as true disciples to the public, sharing God’s word.
In addition to his parents and wife, Martha; Dick was preceded in death by his sisters, Barbara Andrews and Marylou “Susie” Grove. Left to cherish her memories are his sons, Dennis (Mary) Hartsell of Edwardsburg. MI, Rick (Ann) Hartsell of Bloomfield Hills, MI and Rev. Matthew (Barbara) Hartsell of Bluffton, IN; brothers, John Hartsell of Florida and Gordon “Mick” (Sharon) Hartsell of Wauseon; 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Friends will be received from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Barnes Funeral Chapel, 5825 St Hwy 109, Delta, Ohio 43515 and prior to the service from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM on Monday at Swanton Alliance Church, 113 Franklin Ave, Swanton, Ohio; where a funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM honoring Dick’s life. Interment will follow the service at East Swanton Cemetery in Swanton. His sons, Matt, Dennis and Rick Hartsell will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing a show of sympathy are asked to consider contributions to Forgotten Children Worldwide, 650 N. Main St., Bluffton, IN 46714 in his memory. Please visit www.barnesfuneralchapel.com to send condolences to Richard’s family.
