Howard Thomas Shartzer, age 73 of Hardinsburg, ied Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at his residence.

He was born in Breckinridge County, KY on May 9, 1939, the son of the late Arvil and Mae Lillian McCarty Shartzer. He retired from Commonwealth Aluminum, was a former member of New Bethel Baptist Church and current member of Friendship Baptist Church. Howard was a hard-working family man and enjoyed fishing. He met his wife in the 4th grade at Flood School in the New Bethel area. They wrote letters until their marriage at ages 19 and 20 and then moved to Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Brandy Rose Shartzer, daughter-in-law, Nell Shartzer and brother, James Shartzer.

Howard is survived by his wife Beverly Shartzer, of Hardinsburg, KY who he married on July 17, 1959; 11 children, Christine Grimstad (George), of Sun City West, AZ, Rickey Shartzer, of Leitchfield, Janet O’Reilly (Pat), of Hardinsburg, Doug Shartzer (Shirley), of Lodiburg, Ky, Lottie Dowell (Frankie), of Louisville, Bruce Shartzer (Donna), of Hardinsburg, Ronnie Shartzer, of Hardinsburg, Howard Shartzer (Marcia), of Leitchfield, Wanda Dowell (Bradley), of Brandenburg, Timmy Shartzer (Tammy), of Maynardville, TN, and Iva Williams (Glenn), of Hardinsburg; 31 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; two brothers, W L Shartzer, of Hardinsburg, and Roger Shartzer of Harned; two sisters, Joan Stewart, of Hardinsburg, and Carol Wilson, of Harned.

Funeral services will be held at Trent-Dowell Funeral Home on Saturday, Decembetr 15, 2012 at 12 noon with Bro. Jube Stevenson officiating. Burial will be in the New Bethel Cemetery.

Visitation on Friday, 4-8 p.m. and after 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Memorial contributions are requested to: Hosparus.