Forrest James Hartzell age 80 of Coffeyville passed away on December 4, 2019 at St John’s Medical Center in Tulsa.
Forrest was born on March 7, 1939 in Coffeyville to Carl and Laura (Frazee) Hartzell. He attended school in Tyro and left school early so he could enlist in the United States Army. Little did Forrest know but the Army would play a vital role in his life as he proudly and honorably served for over 20 years, retiring as a Master Sargent and receiving many commendations and medals. In 1961 at a diner, Forrest met the love of his life Judy Miller. The couple would marry later that year on July 29. To this union the couple was blessed with two daughters. Forrest enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting pheasant and quail, and carpentry; he loved working with his hands and spent many hours in his woodshop. He was a very organized person that paid the closest of attention to the minutest detail. He was a man of his word, if he said it he meant it, he was out going and helped any and everybody no matter their situation. Forrest was a long time member of the First Church of God and often could be found helping around the church. Family was always his top priority and he loved any time he could be with them.
Forrest’s memories will live on with his wife of 58 years, Judy, daughters; Julie Bishop her husband Ted and Loretta Glasglow her husband Larry, brothers; Jewell Hartzell and David Hartzell, sister Carla Andres, grandchildren, Danielle Macy, Naomi Tosh, Elainna Christlieb, and Donna Hallen, and 10 great-grandchildren.
He now rests with his parents and brother Jim Hartzell.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 2:00pm at the First Church of God with Pastor Mark Wilson officiating. Burial will immediately follow with committal services being held at the Veteran’s Memorial Patio with full military honors being provided by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends are invited to sign the register and greet the family on Monday, December 9, 2019 at from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel. The family suggests memorials be made payable to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and they may be sent in care of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel 2405 Woodland Ave. Coffeyville, KS 67337. To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit
