James Albert Hartle, 85, of Marble, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Shippenville Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born on December 8, 1938, in Clarion to Albert Charles and Gertrude Elizabeth Curran Hartle.
After graduating from Immaculate Conception Catholic School in 1957, Jim joined the Navy and spent 4 years serving his country.
He married Mary Kay Hartle on August 31, 1963, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Fryburg, who preceded him in death on March 23, 1990.
Together they had 2 daughters, Kathleen Smerkar and Marcia Kay Davis.
Jim then married Judy Wilson on May 10, 1997, who survives him.
He worked for Hartle Trucking for many years and continued working as a truck driver and mechanic until he retired, but continued to work for Dave Leadbetter for many years.
Jim enjoyed going to swap meets and taking his convertible to car shows.
He was an active life member of the American Legion Post #066 of Clarion, where he was in the Honor Guard and known to play taps at the local military funerals.
Jim also carried the flag in the Autumn Leaf Parades and Memorial Day Services.
He was also a life member of the VFW Post #2145 of Clarion and a member of the Fryburg Sportsman’s Club and the Clarion County Rod and Gun Club of Knox.
In addition to his wife, Judy, Jim is survived by his daughters, Kathy Smerkar and her husband, Robert, of Knox and Marcia Davis and her husband, Michael, of Berryville, VA and his grandchildren, Amy Smerkar of Olean, NY, Sara Smerkar of Knox, Zachary Rugenstone and his wife, Sarah, of St. Louis, MO and Meredith Cannady and her husband, Shane, of Norfolk, VA.
Jim is also survived by his step son, Michael Wilson and his wife, Sherri, of Kossuth; his step daughter, Tammie Hawk of Summerville, SC; 4 step grandchildren, Marina Wilson of Marble, Tanner Wilson and his fiancé, Lexi, of Knox, Talon Wilson of Kossuth, and Ryan Hawk and his wife, Shene, of Summerville, SC; and a step great grandson, Elliott of Marble.
He is further survived by his sister, Gertrude Burchfield of Branchville, NJ and his brother, Robert Hartle and his fiancé, Gloria, of Port Allegany.
In addition to his first wife, Mary Kay Hartle, Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Carol Ann Siegel.
Family and friends will be received from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home
in Clarion.
A Christian Wake Service will be held in the funeral home following calling hours.
Military Honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post #066 at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024 in the funeral home.
Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarion with Rev. Monty Sayers presiding.
Inurnment will take place in the Cedarview Memorial Park in Strattanville at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim’s honor to the American Legion Post #066 Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, 530 Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214.
Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.rvburnsfuneralhome.com.
