Frederick Eugene Hartley, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, died September 13, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Lee’s Summit.
The youngest of ten children, Fred was born on September 10, 1936 in Halfway, Missouri. He grew up in Marshall, Missouri, where he met his future wife of 68 years in the first grade. After graduating high school in 1954, Fred attended Missouri Valley College and became engaged to his high school sweetheart, Jane Wyrick. They married in 1956, eventually having four sons, Kevin, Mark, Todd, and David
Fred worked at Keehart furniture store, which he eventually bought in 1974, renaming it Hartley Furniture Galleries. There he remained until his retirement in 1999, when he sold the business to his son, Todd. He continued to work part-time for the next few decades, always ready to help a customer.
Fred was a pillar in the Marshall community, over the years serving on the Marshall School Board, Marshall Park Board, City Council, The Blosser Home Board, Buckner Foundation Board, Fitzgibbon Hospital Board of Directors and Community Bank Board. He was a Kiwanis member and longtime member of the First Christian Church. Even when traveling around the world, Fred always managed to run into someone with a link to Missouri, always making connections.
Fred was always with a smile on his face and ready to lend a helping hand. He had the best sense of humor, never took himself too seriously and was always there for his family. Year after year, he showed through his actions what it meant to be a good person and to live a good life. He will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife, Jane, his sons Kevin (Terri), Mark (Kate), Todd (Wendy) and David (Leigh), his grandchildren Brian, Eric, Paul, Regan, Rachel, Jake, Sarah, Nick, Quinn, Carli, Kate, Abbey, Anna, Riley and Jade, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and his sisters June Sargent and Betty Smith.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Lula McFall Hartley and William Thomas Hartley, sisters Ruby Lassa, Ruth Jacobs, Rhea Morgan, Tommie Weaver, Georgie Hall, Mary Moore, and brother Billy Hartley.
A private family service will be held. Friends may call at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 18, 2024 and Thursday, September 19, 2024, to pay their respects and sign the guestbook. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made to First Christian Church of Marshall or the Marshall Kiwanis Club. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.