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Hartzler, Raymond L. (1893-1988)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1988 Jul 21 p. 5
Birth date: 1893 Nov 28
text of obituary:
Bloomington, Ill. — Longtime Central District Conference (GC) pastor Raymond L. Hartzler died June 27 at Mennonite Hospital Long-Term Care Unit, where he had been a resident. He was 94.
Hartzler was ordained to the ministry April 22, 1916, by his home congregation, Maple Grove Mennonite Church in Topeka, Ind. He held pastorates at Topeka and Carlock, Ill., from 1916 to 1941.
From 1928 to 1966 he held positions on the executive committee of Central Conference of Mennonites and on the boards of Mennonite Hospital, Mennonite Biblical Seminary and Congo Inland Mission. At the time of his death he was a member of the Mennonite Church of Normal.
He was a graduate of Goshen (Ind.) College. He was awarded a honorary doctor of humane letters by Bluffton (Ohio) College in 1987.
Hartzler was born Nov. 28, 1893, in Topeka, Ind., to Rufus A. and Nettie Byler Hartzler.
On Feb. 12, 1919, he married Nora Burkholder, who survives. Other survivors include two sons, Wilton of High Point, N. C., and Ellwyn of Pandora, Ohio; two daughters, Donna Harnish of Tiskilwa, Ill., and Willadene Keeney of Kent, Ohio; 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held June 29 at the Mennonite Church of Normal. Burial was in Ropp Mennonite Cemetery, Normal.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1988 Sep 22 p. 11
text of obituary:
R. L. Hartzler was born Nov. 28, 1893, at Topeka, Ind., to Rufus A. and Nettie Byler Hartzler.
He graduated at the top of his high school class in 1911. He attended Goshen (Ind.) College for a year in preparation for teaching in the public schools. After a "mountain top" commitment to the ministry, he returned to Goshen College in 1915. He was ordained by Maple Grove Mennonite Church on April 22, 1916. He graduated from Goshen College in 1918.
He was united in marriage to Nora Burkholder on Feb. 12, 1919, in Smithville, Ohio. He farmed in addition to serving as pastor of his home congregation. In 1928 he accepted a full-time pastorate at Carlock (Ill.) Mennonite Church, where he served until 1941.
He directed a Civilian Public Service camp 1941-44. In 1945 he began serving as secretary of the Central Conference of Mennonites and as editor of "The Christian Evangel," positions he held for 19 years.
He served on the board of Mennonite Hospital, Bloomington, Ill., for 24 years--15 as president. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Troyer/Sloan Health Award in 1977. His name was also given to a complex of buildings on the hospital campus.
He also served on the boards of Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (formerly Congo Inland Mission), Mennonite Biblical Seminary and other agencies. The General Conference's committee for the encouragement of estate planning was instituted under his leadership and he served as its first executive secretary.
His support of the chaplaincy and pastoral services program at Mennonite Hospital provided an inspirational base for the development of the program. In 1984 the Illinois Pastoral Institute established the R. L. Hartzler Fellowship Fund for the training of pastors in specialized ministries.
He died June 27, 1988, at the age of 94.
He is survived by his wife, Nora; two sons, Wilton of High Point, N. C., and Ellwyn of Pandora, Ohio; two daughters, Donna Harnish of Tiskilwa, and Willadene Keeney of Kent, Ohio; 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held June 29, 1988, at Mennonite Church of Normal, with Tom Kauffman, Evelyn Bertsche and Don Nester officiating. Burial was in Ropp Mennonite Cemetery, Normal.
The Mennonite obituary: 1988 Aug 9 p. 352
