Edwin Albin Hartley

Ed Hartley was born to Curtis and Joyce Hartley in Butler, Missouri on August 31, 1939, and died on August 20, 2024 in Springfield, Missouri. He grew up in Butler, until his family moved to Kansas City when he was in his teens.
He graduated from Ruskin High School in Kansas City in 1957. He became an electrician through an apprenticeship program, and was successful in that trade for 35 years until he retired.
Ed went on a blind date on February 2, 1962, where he met the love of his life Lynda Gustin, or Lynda Kay as he often called her. After a whirlwind romance, they married on April 28, 1962. He adored her, and took pride in taking care of her for over six decades. Even recently, after it was clear that he was the one who needed care, he was always thanking her, checking on her, and making sure that anyone who would listen knew how much he loved her. He, along with his wife, became a Christian and was faithful to that calling. He raised his family in church, and was very involved, including hosting many different Bible studies. He led a Youth For Christ weekly Bible club for teenagers in his home for many years, as well.
He was a wonderful example of a husband and father. He loved his kids, and enjoyed supporting them in their endeavors. He spent many hours on the road driving them to music practices and events. He loved his grandchildren and was so proud of them. They looked up to him, and loved him very much.
He enjoyed the outdoors, and many summer weekends you would find him with his family (and friends that would come along) at Pomme de Terre Lake. There would be campfires, skiing, or swimming. His favorite thing to do was fishing, and he went on lots of early morning walks around the cove for some quiet time with his fishing pole before anyone else was awake. He loved his pets. Over the years, he had dogs (often several at a time), a cat he rescued from a dumpster, tropical fish, a monkey, a macaw parrot who he had real conversations with, and even had a little pot bellied pig for a while. He enjoyed traveling full time during his retirement years. He spent the majority of that time being an avid RVer, and went on various adventures to beautiful places. They spent many of those winters at their vacation home in Rockport, Texas. After 20 years or so, they settled in Springfield to be near family when he was not able to travel any longer.
Ed is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lynda Hartley; brother and sister-in-law Allen and Sandy Hartley; son Scott Hartley; daughter and son-in-law Traci and Tim Young; and 14 grandchildren: Tyler, Tanner, Tara, Tess, Tristen, Tori, Stefan, Jakobi, Teyah, Anastasia, Iris, Wyatt, Dalton, and Sophia.
He loved his life, and was ready to go to heaven and be with Jesus. He spoke of it often. Our comfort is knowing we will see him again, but for now, our loss is heaven's gain. Visitation and lunch after service from 12:00-2:00 PM at Emerald Villas Clubhouse, 3621 E. Seminole Street A1, Springfield, MO.