Earl Glen Hartzog passed away Monday, April 25, 2016 at the Sheridan County Health Complex in Hoxie, Kansas at the age of 86. He was born on May 13, 1929 to Harold Clifton and Dena (Corbin) Kroeze Hartzog on the family farm in Phillips County, Kansas. The family later moved to the Jennings, Kansas area where he grew up. On September 7, 1951 he entered the United States Army and was very proud of the time he spent serving his country. On April 20, 1958 he was united marriage to Patricia “Pat” A. (McKenna) Krizek in Oberlin, Kansas. They made their home in the Dresden area until moving to Hoxie in 1975. Together, they raised three children Mike, Virginia, and Harold.
Earl and Pat farmed until moving to Hoxie where he went to work for Sheridan County Road and Bridge Department until his retirement in 2000. He was a farmer and mechanic for most of his life, but after retirement he helped Pat with her daycare. He loved all of the children in the daycare, and they loved him, always calling him “Papa.”
Earl enjoyed collecting and restoring John Deere tractors. Over the years he and his son Harold acquired quite a large collection. He also collected barbed wire and has one of the most extensive collections in the United States. He loved singing country and bluegrass music, camping and square dancing with Pat, and enjoyed being a square dance caller. He was a member of the Christian Fellowship Church, as well as the Jennings American Legion Post #351, where in 2014 he received certificates for 60 Years of Continuous Membership and Outstanding Contributor.
Earl is survived by his wife Pat of the home; son Harold Hartzog of Hoxie; daughter Virginia (Irlan) Fullbright of Ellinwood; brothers Daryl Hartzog (Marjorie) of Jennings, Bob Hartzog (Joyce) of Oberlin, and Floyd Gillespie (Erma) of Newcastle, TX; sisters, Darlene LaRue of Oberlin, and Dena Marie Way (Dan) of Springfield, MO; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Dena and step father George Gillespie, son Mike Krizek, daughter-in-law Yvette Hartzog, and grandson Alan Fullbright.
Funeral Services for Earl will be held Friday, April 29, 2016 at the Christian Fellowship Church, Hoxie, Kansas, at 10:30 A.M. with Pastor Micah Howery officiating. Burial will be in the Hoxie City Cemetery following the service. Military Honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard, Fort Riley, Kansas and Jennings American Legion Post # 351. Visitation will be Thursday, April 28, 2016, from 10:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M., at Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Health Complex and All-Stars for Jesus and may be sent in care Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67750. On-line condolences may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com
The love of Earl’s life was his family. Always a kind and caring person, willing to give a helping hand to friends and church family, he lived a daily life and example of loving God with all of his heart, mind, soul, and strength; and loving his neighbor as himself.