Victor Hartzler

Victor Hartzler

Bentonville, Arkansas

Victor L. Hartzler died on March 11 at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Arkansas. He was born on December 20, 1932, to Jesse and Ada (Schrock) Hartzler in Hesston, Kansas. He married Marlene A. Gauntt on May 5, 1956, at the Ellington Air Force Base chapel in Houston, Texas, and together they enjoyed almost 68 years of marriage.

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He grew up on a farm and graduated from West Chester (Iowa) High School in 1950 and attended Goshen College (Indiana) for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. Later, while in the Air Force he earned both BSEE and MSEE degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology in Dayton, Ohio. He served his country for 22 years.

He purchased a small cattle farm in Cave Springs, Arkansas in 1973 and an A&W restaurant franchise in Bentonville. With the help of the whole family, he operated both enterprises for more than 8 years. After selling the restaurant, he enjoyed bass fishing and the repair and refinishing of antique furniture. In 1993 he and Marlene retired to Bella Vista, and Vic began to collect and rebuild antique reed (pump) organs for himself and others.

He was always a gentleman and showed grace to everyone. He loved his church, his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and looked forward to family reunions and activities.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, LaVerne Wolfer and three brothers, Maurice, Orval and Robert (Bob); and one granddaughter, Amanda Wilkerson.

He is survived by his wife, Marlene; three daughters, Vicque (Scott) White; Robin (Norm) Wilkerson and Sharon (Jim) Brown, all of NWA; ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Orpha (Dick) Yoder of Wayland, Iowa and one brother, Dale (Meg) Hartzler of Broomfield, Colorado, and sister-in-law Char (Sam) Cochran of Coralville, Iowa.

A memorial service was held March 15. Burial with full military honors was held at the Fayetteville National Cemetery following the service.