Garnet Eugene "Smokey" Hartzell, 81, of Kiser Road died Tuesday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born Nov. 29, 1925, in New Castle, he was the son of William Hartzell and Nina Ziegler.

He retired as a truck driver at Mertz Barkley Trucking.

Mr. Hartzell served with the Army in the South Pacific during World War II and was a life member of the VFW in Orlando, Fla.

Surviving are a son, Ronald Mulneix of Topeka, Kan.; five daughters, Judi Ruley of Butler, Mrs. James (Jackie) King of Pleasant City, Ohio, and Frances Edinger, Linda Hawkins and Mrs. Frank (Cindy) Deal, all of Butler; a brother, Ernie Hartzell of New Castle; and two sisters, Anna Mae Stankey of Mars and Bonnie Gray of Butler. Also surviving are 24 grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Ruth Trautman Hartzell, who died Feb. 20, 1998; three brothers, and a sister.

<B>HARTZELL </B>— Friends of Garnet Eugene "Smokey" Hartzell, who died Tuesday, March 27, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home</B>, 124 E. North St. Services will follow at 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Thomas Pierotti, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will follow at the Butler County Memorial Park, Butler Township.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.