Forrest Hartner

Forrest Harold Hartner, 72, died June 14, 2018 in Clay Center, KS. He was born August 17, 1945 in Clay Center, KS, the son of Harold Fred and Floy Marie (Davis) Hartner. Forrest was raised on a farm southwest of Clay Center and graduated from Clay Center Community High School in 1963. Forrest attended Pittsburg State University for a semester prior to joining the Kansas National Guard where he served for 6 years. He married his childhood sweetheart, LaVonne Marie (Tillman), on April 11, 1964. Forrest loved every job that he was involved in: Farmer/Stockman, custodian at CCCHS and Garfield, and a USD 379 bus driver. His jobs and activities reflected his love for children. Forrest was President of the Clay County Farm Bureau, member of the Clay County fairboard, member of the Exeter Township Board, leader of the Cloverleaf 4-H Club, and volunteered at Lighthouse for Christ. He was active in the First Presbyterian Church where he was an elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, went on mission trips to Louisanna for Katrina Hurricane Relief and Greensburg tornado cleanup, and attended weekly church services. Forrest and LaVonne were foster parents to over 20 children.  Forrest was preceded in death by, Mother: Floy (Davis) Hartner; Step Mother: Arleen (Neef) Hartner; Sister: Ethel Rose (Hartner) Ericksen; Granddaughter: Shelby Corinne Hartner.Survivors: Wife: LaVonne Hartner of Clay Center. Sons: Shane and Joan (Runnebaum) Hartner of Marysville, Corey and Julie (Kriley) Hartner of Belleville, Hoyt and Christie (Bigler) Hartner of Clay Center, and Kenny and Sallie (Koelling) Hartner of Smith Center. Daughter: Holly and Arlan Chestnut of Clay Center. Father:. Harold Hartner of Clay Center. Sisters: Darlene and husband Harry Strader of Topeka; Beverly and husband Norval Ralstin of Mullinville. Brother-in-law: Milton Ericksen of Springfield, VA. Step sister: Judy and Bob Krause of Manhattan. Sister-in-Laws: Sharon and husband Allie Burgin of Oklahoma City and Jeannie Travers of Manhattan. Grandchildren: Nikki (Tony), Cody (Sarah), Wendy (Kyle), Chance (Alicia), Ben (Chelsea), Chase (Amy), Charissa, Matt (Allie), Taylor, Mason, Sadie, Morgan, Caley, Korbin, Hunter, Tillman, Halle, 14 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.Visitation will be held Monday, June 18 from 3-8 pm at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral HomeFuneral Services: Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 10:30 at the First Presbyterian Church in Clay Center, Kansas with Pastor Scott Lingle and Drew Reding officiating.Burial: Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, KansasMemorials: First Presbyterian Church and Lighthouse for Christ.