Submitted By: Dan Rich

Ellsworth F. Hartz Jr.

June 17, 1938 - April 16, 2004

South Bend Tribune 4/18/2004

Ellsworth F. "Sonny" Hartz Jr., 65, of Park Avenue in Mishawaka, Ind., passed away of natural causes on Friday, April 16, in the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. Sonny was born June 17, 1938, in South Bend, Ind. A graduate of Mishawaka High School, Sonny went on to serve his country in the Air Force, obtaining the rank of E-4 before his honorable discharge in 1963.

Sonny married the former Ms. Barbara Seese on Dec. 5, 1959, in Edwardsburg, Mich. Barbara survives. He is also survived by their children, Bobbie Micinski and her husband, Russell of South Bend, Timothy L. Hartz Sr. and his wife, Cheryl of Mishawaka, Brian K. Hartz and his wife, Michelle of Bloomington, Ind., and Ellsworth F. "Pep" Hartz III and his wife, Melissa of Mishawaka; six grandchildren, Casey Micinski, Timothy L. Hartz Jr., Scott Micinski, Zachary Hartz, Dakota Hartz and Morgan Hartz; three brothers, Robert Hartz and his wife, Janice of Niles, Mich., Dale Hartz and his wife, Elaine of Osceola, Ind., and Richard Hartz and his wife, Stephanie of Gilbert, Ariz. Sonny's father, Ellsworth P. Hartz Sr., and his stepmother, Donna, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today, April 18, and one hour prior to services Monday in the Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Osceola. Chaplain Steven Coyle of the St. Joseph County Police Department will officiate services at 11 a.m. Monday, April 19, in the Chapel Hill Funeral Home, with interment to follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. VFW Post 360 and American Legion Post #161 will hold military honors at the graveside.

Sonny joined the St. Joseph County Police Department in 1967, graduated from the Indiana Police Academy in 1968 and served St. Joseph County well for nearly 30 years until his retirement in 1995. During his tenure with the police department, Sonny became a detective and a senior corporal, as well as serving as a court bailiff at the St. Joseph County Courthouse for the last several years of his employment. Sonny enjoyed many things in his life. Chicago Cubs baseball was one of them. He kept statistics on each player for many seasons as a hobby. Other interests included drawing and art. These led Sonny to painting the murals on the windows of the County Building in Mishawaka and designing a uniform patch that county officers still wear today. Sonny also had a passion for history, especially the Civil War. He belonged to FOP Lodge #155 where he played softball, and American Legion Post #161 in Mishawaka for many years where he was a past commander. Memorial donations in Sonny's name may be made to the American Lung Association.