Obit: Hartl, Walter M. (1926 - 2013)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Clausnitzer, Dowden, Haley, Hartl, Herman, Metz, Mravik, Schultz, Smazal, Stefancin, Willger, Williams

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 02/28/2013

Hartl, Walter "Walt" M. (6 OCT 1926 - 23 FEB 2013)

Walter "Walt" M. Hartl, 86, Medford, died on Saturday, Feb. 23 at Memorial Nursing and Rehab Center in Medford, where he resided the past five years. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 1 at 11 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford with Father Gerard Willger and Deacon Joseph Stefancin officiating, and full military honors performed by the Medford Area Honors Team. Interment will be at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in Medford. Pallbearers are Jesse Clausnitzer, Ryan Hartl, Rick Dowden, Trey Williams, Ryan Mravik and Rod Metz.

Visitation will be held at Hemer Funeral Home in Medford on Thursday, Feb. 28 from 4 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., and on Friday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.

Walter Hartl was born on October 6, 1926 in Hewitt, Wood County, to the late Louis and Elizabeth "Bessie" (Herman) Hartl Sr. He attended Auburndale area schools.

On November 14, 1945 in Marshfield, he married Viola M. Smazal, who preceded him in death on March 15, 1998. He served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1945 to 1946. They lived in Loyal prior to moving to Unity, then in 1966 moved to Medford where he worked as a mechanic at Medford Motors until his retirement in 1992.

He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. He enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling and polka dancing.

Survivors include a daughter, Debbie (Sam) Haley of Wausau; two sons, Randy (Sue) of Dorchester and Barry (Kelly) of Stetsonville; three siblings, Margie (Wayne) Schultz of Spencer, and Roy and Bob (Nancy), both of Marshfield; six grandchildren, Christopher (Larissa) Hartl, Tracy (Rick) Dowden, Holly (Rod) Metz, Tanya Hartl, and Ryan and Kayla Hartl; two step-grandchildren, Heather (Ryan) Mravik and Jesse (Erin) Clausnitzer; and 13 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Shirley in infancy, and four brothers, Edward, William, Norbert and Louis Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to his family to be designated at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.