Richard Norman Shartle, 85, passed away Monday afternoon July 6, 2015 at the Good Shepherd Care Center following a long illness. He was born April 29, 1930 in Ashland to the late Charles and Minnie (nee Woods) Shartle. He attended Ashland High School and was associated with his father in the Ashland Sign Company. In 1948 he married Alice Jean Watkins and they celebrated 67 years of marriage in April of this year.
In 1951 he joined the U.S. Air Force and retired in 1979 as a Senior Master Sergeant. During his 28 years he served during the Korean Conflict on Okinawa and in Vietnam at Dong Ha. He had two tours in Alaska, two in Germany, plus 10 stateside assignments. His medals include 2 Bronze Stars (One with “V”), 3 Air Force Commendations, 2 Korean, 2 Vietnam, plus others. He retired in Syracuse, New York where the family resided until 2009 when they returned to Ashland.
He is survived by his wife, a nephew, Rodger of California; nieces, Nancy and Susan of Oregon and Linda of Colorado. The befriended family of Mrs. David (Connie) Brown of Phoenix, NY and her children, Alicia, Morgan, and Jack and was known to them as “Papa”; and Mr. & Mrs. Kennie Killian, Albert Hans and Raymond Clark all of Ashland.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Rae and sister-in-law, Rae “Cookie” Benton; his parents, Charles and Minnie Shartle; and three brothers, Wayne, Charles and Robert.
Richard was a member of the George Washington Masonic Lodge Lodge #820, Kaiserslautern, Germany, Eagles #2178, Amvets Post # 96, V.F.W. Post 1067 and American Legion Post #88 all of Ashland.
There will be no calling hours. Graveside services will be held Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at the Ashland Cemetery with Pastor Ben Roby officiating. The Ashland Veterans Honor Guard will provide full military honors at the cemetery. For those who want to attend the graveside services, please come to the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home by 11:15 a.m. to process with us to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Dr. Ashland , Ohio 44805 or to a Service Organization of the donors choice .
For those not able to attend, expressions of sympathy may be made to the family by visiting www.dpkfh.com
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