Obituary

Shem B. Hartzler, 26, died Wednesday (May 19, 2004) in St. Louis, Mo.

He was born Aug. 22, 1977, in Goshen, Ind., to Ronald and Ruth (Clemmer) Hartzler.

He was a 1996 graduate of Hesston High School and a 1998 graduate of Hesston College. He was a self-employed, licensed massage therapist. He was baptized Aug. 28, 1994, at the Hesston Inter-Mennonite Fellowship, where he was a member. He was an avid bicyclist and enjoyed cycling with his friends. He was a percussionist with the band Recycle America and recorded a compact disc with his fellow bandmates.

Survivors include: his father, Ronald Hartzler of Newton; his mother, Ruth Hartzler of Hesston; a son, Noah Jacob Hartzler of St. Louis; two brothers, Nathan Craft of Mussoorie, India, and Andrew Hartzler of Brownsville, Texas; a sister, LaRita Craft of Goshen, Ind.; a nephew, Gabriel Hartzler of Brownsville, Texas; a niece, Isabella Hartzler of Brownsville, Texas; a step-mother, Carol Hartzler of Newton; his partner, Katie Mack and her son Collin Mack.

He was preceded in death by: paternal grandparents, Levi and Irene Hartzler; and maternal grandparents, Russell and Arlene Clemmer.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Petersen Funeral Home, with family greeting friends from 6 to 9 p.m.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Hesston College Mennonite Church with Pastor Ray French of Hesston Inter-Mennonite Fellowship, the Rev. Dr. Paul Miller of Hesston and Pastor Melissa Roth of St. Louis Mennonite Fellowship officiating. Those attending services should park south of the Hesston Mennonite Church in the college parking lot due to street construction in front of the church.

Burial will be in Hesston City Cemetery.

A memorial has been established with the Shem Hartzler Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.