Theodore A. Hartle, 84, of Chicora, formerly of Mercer Township, passed away at 6:14 p.m. Friday at the VNA Inpatient Unit in Butler following an extended illness.

He was born March 3, 1926, in Clarion to William A. Hartle and Anne Elizabeth Fiscus.

He married Arlene F. Custer on May 8, 1948. She died June 13, 2000.

He retired from Cooper Energy Services where he was a machinist for 17 years. He also was a builder and remodeler in the area for many years.

He was a member of West Unity Community Church in Harrisville, where he was the longest standing member.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in Germany, France and Austria.

He was a member of the American Legion Post and the VFW Post, both in Chicora.

He is survived by eight children, SherylAnn Geibel and her husband, Charles, of Chicora, Cynthia M. Heckathorn of Grove City, Constance “Connie” Cobane and her husband, Irwin, of Lexington, Ky., Mary Lou Bowser and her husband, Jerry, of Slippery Rock, Stephen D. Hartle of Mechanicsville, Va., Roger W. Hartle and his wife, Dana, of Tennessee, Edward A. Hartle and his wife, Vivian, of Grove City and Lynn A Hartle of Charlotte, N.C.; 30 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and three brothers, Charles A. Hartle of Chicora, Francis A. Hartle and his wife, Lola, of Florida and Lawrence A. Hartle and his wife, Shirley, of Baden.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Sharon Elizabeth Meyerott; one son, Theodore Vincent Hartle; one granddaughter, Teresa M. Breese; five brothers, William, Lee, Paul, Jerry and Don Hartle; and one sister, Anna Pearson.

<B>HARTLE</B> — Friends of Theodore A. Hartle, who died Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, will be received Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the <B>Cunningham Funeral Home</B>, 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at West Unity Community Church 400 Unity Rd., Harrisville.Services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the church with the Rev. Boyd Smith, pastor of the church, officiating.Burial will be in Crestview Memorial Park.Memorial contributions may be made to West Community Church, 400 Unity Rd., Harrisville, PA 16038.