Robert E. Hartley, age 88 of Elwood, passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2013 surrounded by his family at Miller's Merry Manor in Tipton following an extended illness. He was born on November 15, 1924 in Elwood, the 14th child of 19 total children born to William and Retta (McGivens) Hartley. He worked as a clerk for the Nickel Plate Rail Company for 26 years, and retired in 1980. Robert was a 1946 graduate of Elwood High School, and later married Emma Tidler on December 23, 1948. He was a member of the East Main Street Christian Church, the Elwood Elks Lodge #368, and formerly active in the Elwood 50+ Club. Robert lived his entire life with Polio, and he never let his illness stop him from being a good husband, father, and grandfather or from working hard and providing for his family. He enjoyed playing pool and cards, and formerly enjoyed boating.

His family includes his wife of 64 years, Emma (Tidler) Hartley of Elwood; 2 sons, Robert E. Hartley, Jr. (companion Carol Puterbaugh) of Elwood and Thomas L. (wife Diana) Hartley of Huntington; sister, Nancy Callaway of Elwood; 5 grandchildren, Scott (wife Darla) Hartley, Stacie (husband Jack) Price, Amanda Jo Hartley, James (wife Ashley) Hartley, and Lynlie Strong; 8 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 9 brothers, Clifford Hartley, Henry "Jake" Hartley, Ray Hartley, Ralph Hartley, Glenn Hartley, Bill Hartley, Fred Hartley, Edwin Hartley, and Edward Hartley; 8 sisters, Gladys Warner, Ruth Terwilliger, Gretta Anderson, Katherine Cieslak, Mary Morrison, Phyllis Hartley, Betty Hartley, and Helen Edgell; and a great-granddaughter, Susan Marie Hartley.

Funeral services will be conducted at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Roger Gardner officiating; and will begin with an Elks Lodge Memorial Ritual. Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 PM on Wednesday prior to the funeral at the funeral home. Burial will take place privately at the Elwood City Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Riley Children's Hospital through the funeral home. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.copherfeslermay.com.