Robert was born November 11, 1921, in Tiffin to Thomas and Rosalie (Reiniche) Hartzell. He married Marie Anna Kirian June 12, 1948, in Tiffin. She died March 14, 2004.
Survivors include three sons, Joseph (Jani), Peter, and Stephen (Becky) Hartzell all of Tiffin; four daughters, Agnes (Warren) Welling of Woodville, Clara Hartzell, Dorothy (Rob) Robenalt both of Tiffin, Helen (Robert) Guinther of Galion; a sister, Ellen Elchert of Tiffin; 24 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Helen Miller and Vernie Kirian, both of Tiffin, and a brother-in-law, Walter Beat of Tiffin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Barbara Factor; four brothers, Harry, Eugene Bro. Cesaire (Paul) of the Holy Cross, and Victor Hartzell; two sisters, Mary Louise Elchert and Regina Beat; a grandchild and a great grandchild.
Robert served in the CCC Camp in Montana then he served 101 Airborne Division, 502 Regt. of the Army from 1942 to 1945 during WWII. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation, French Croix De Guerre, and the Purple Heart. His was the first division to see action on D-Day in the Invasion of Normandy. He was wounded there, on Carentan Causeway several days later. In 1960 he launched a nationwide search for all of the men that he served with in Company I, and he published a newsletter for them for over 40 years.
He was a lifelong member of St. Mary Church where he was active in several organizations and functions. He was a salesman for W. H. Kildow Company for 36 years when he retired in 1983. During that time he built seven homes, two of which he lived in. After his retirement in 1983, he obtained his G.E.D. He then was ordained as a Deacon of the Catholic Church and for that ministry he worked tirelessly for as long as he was physically able. During the 1950-60s he sponsored several refugee families in establishing their homes in the United States. He was professed as "Brother Joseph" Dec. 16, 1956 of the Third Order of St. Francis. Robert was the sponsor of several priest and nuns in the pursuit of their vocations. During the 1980s he gave live presentations in teaching about the Shroud of Turin and crucification in the time of Christ. He was a past member of the VFW Post 2858, Tiffin.
Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, at Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113, with a Wake service at 3:30 p.m at the funeral home. Visitation will also be 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Jan 10, 2015 at St. Mary Catholic Church.
The funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan 10, 2015 at St. Mary Catholic Church The rosary will be recited 20 minutes prior to the Mass at church. Burial will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery with the United Veterans of Seneca County performing military rites at the grave site.
Memorial contribution may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, St. Francis Home or the Alzheimer's Association in care of the funeral home.