Jay Earl Hartz, 85, peacefully passed from this life on March 13th, 2023. Throughout his lifetime he enjoyed bringing laughter with pranks and jokes on family members and friends keeping them always on their toes and also enjoying a hot fudge sundae or a milkshake.
Born March 15th, 1937 to Earl and Lorena Hartz and a big sister Gerry on a farm in Judyville, Indiana. He graduated from Ambia High School in 1955 and enjoyed returning for many years to the various alumni events. He then received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from LeTourneau university Longview, TX in 1959. On November 15th of that same year, he and Evelyn Nesbitt were married in Boswell, IN and went on to share many wonderful years together. They moved to Columbus, IN where Jay started his first job at Cummins Diesel Engine Company. He soon realized he was not happy sitting behind a drafting desk which took them back to Boswell and on to Hoopeston, IL. In Hoopeston he was the owner of Hoopeston Motors and later Jay Hartz Ford Mercury. During this time, he and Evelyn raised two cute and adorable children, Cynthia and Mark (who now can tell the stories their way).
After transitioning out of the dealership, Jay had a Parts Store and Service Center for the next several years. When the blizzards and deep snow kept coming, Jay and Evelyn decided on a change in their lifes direction and retired to Ocala, FL.
Jay greatly enjoyed Rotary Club serving as president and a Paul Harris Fellow. Later in retirement he and fellow Rotarians organized a new club in West Ocala. He was a 50-year member of the Murat Temple in Indianapolis, IN and in his retirement years he transported children to the Shriners Hospital in Tampa, FL.
Throughout his lifetime he was on several community advisory boards and was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church.
Camping was a favorite pastime often shared with lifelong friends at Raccoon Lake and Indian Head Lake where many a tale were told of Harry Tice from Kansas City. Later in retirement, Jay and Evelyn again discovered their love of camping, and with Florida friends they formed the Tall Tale Travelers camping group. Traveling throughout the US with their RV became a favorite pastime. They eventually parked the RV for the final time when they found “ The Happy Place” in Maggie Valley, NC.
Jay is preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Evelyn. In his final years he was fortunate enough to find companionship with Kris Francis with whom he shared further adventures including a Riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River.
Jay is leaving behind a family who loves him. Jay is survived by his daughter Cynthia Hartz (Mick) Zarate, granddaughter Cara Zarate (Max) Cuevas, son Mark (Kelly) Hartz, grandchildren Lizzie Hartz and family, Brayden Hartz, Stephanie (Chuck) Vill and family, Austin Metcalf.
Sister Gerry Phillips, nephew Carey Million and family.
Brother-in law Don (Susan) Nesbitt, nephews Will (Laura) Nesbitt and family, Eric (Lindsay) Nesbitt and family.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Shriners Childrens Hospital:
https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en
Celebrations of life will be held at a later date.