David William Hartle Obituary
David William Hartle, a loving husband, father, teacher, writer, poet, storyteller, concert mime, actor, art lover, and equestrian was born on February 25, 1950, and passed away to join his Heavenly Father while surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. A man of great love, compassion, and creative talent, he graduated high school from Saint Fidelis Seminary and earned his teaching degree at Slippery Rock State College, where he fell shamelessly and madly in love with Emma Lee Reed, to whom he would devote himself for the next 51 years. His career was his passion, and he spent 36 years as a classroom teacher of Expressive Arts and English Language Arts at Mars Middle School. While there, he also developed and directed one of the area's first student-run morning news programs as well as his Native American Indian Club which worked to build not only knowledge of the Indigenous culture but also allowed students the opportunity to grow in confidence and build personal strengths. In addition to his teaching career, he was also a concert mime and storyteller teaching classes and performing across the country during the 1980s and 1990s. His passion for helping young people also led him to volunteer in many capacities at Camp Lutherlyn over the decades. His personal hobbies included art appreciation, writing, old cowboy movies (especially ones with Roy Rogers), and spending time with his "other woman", his Tennessee Walker mare, Savannah.
He is survived by his wife, Emma Lee (Reed) Hartle, and his two daughters, Jennifer H. F. Fink (Eric) and Jessica R. Patterson (Bernard); his grandchildren: Jeremy David Fink, Marilyn Fink, Ryan Blank, and Lucia Patterson; his three sisters: Kathy Urban (Alan), Mary Kay Kicher (John), and Lou Ann Robbins (Tom); his seven brothers: Frank, Jr. (Lorraine), Ron (Linda), Brian (Providence), Gary (Gina), Jim, Michael (Kim), and Patrick (Christine); dozens of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and cousins; as well as thousands of students.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth (Morrissey) Hartle; his father, Francis X. Hartle, Sr.; his son-in-law Terry Frederick; his sister-in-law Teresa (Rine) Hartle, and his brother-in-law George Robbins.
The ultimate teacher who never missed an opportunity to enlighten others, David has donated his remains to the University of Pittsburgh through the Pennsylvania Humanity Gifts Registry. A memorial service will be held in the months to come. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in David Hartle's honor to the Lutherlyn Equestrian Center, and mailed to P.O. Box 355, Prospect, PA 16052, or donations can be made through the camp's webpage at https://www.lutherlyn.com.
