Stanley Hartwell, 85, of Beaver Meadow, passed away at his home on Wednesday March 21, 2018.
Stanley was born on August 29, 1932 to the late Erma Louise (Stiles) and Leon Hartwell. His family moved to Beaver Meadow in 1948 and Stanley graduated from South Otselic Central School in 1951.
On December 5, 1952, he married his high school sweetheart, Doris Atkyns. He then joined the US Air Force and served in the Korean War before returning to be stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. After being honorably discharged after four years of service, Stanley and Doris returned to Beaver Meadow and purchased the home they would live in for the rest of their lives. Their hearts were so big that not only did they have five children of their own, but they fostered many others and adopted six more. Stanley held a number of jobs including trucking, owning and operating the Georgetown Store and eventually his own woodworking business. He enjoyed camping and took many trips with his family, visiting 45 states. He loved discovering new lighthouses in the New England area. Stanley served his community on the board of South Otselic Central School, councilman on the Otselic Town Board, trustee for the Beaver Meadow Christian Church, 4H leader and he and Doris were named Mr. & Mrs. Chenango County in 2003.
Stanley was predeceased by his wife Doris, his brothers, Loren Hartwell and Kenneth Hartwell; his sister, Beverly Hartwell; his son, Ralph Hartwell; his niece, Beverly Sowersby; and his son in law, Richard Ledford.
He is survived by his children, Linda and Alan Ciambrone, Brenda Ledford, Wayne Hartwell, Sandra and Mark Swayze, Daniel and Andrea Hartwell, Michelle Adams, Brian Hartwell, Lance Hartwell, Timothy and Stacey Hartwell, and Matthew Hartwell; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his brother, Cyrus Gerald and Kitty Hartwell. A debt of gratitude that can never be repaid is owed to the best neighbors in the world, Nathan and Jane Huntley. The family wishes to send a resounding thank you to his wonderful and patient home caregivers who enabled him to fulfill his wish of staying in his home through the end of his life, and to extend a special thanks to the team at Norwich Rehabilitation, who helped Stanley return home after multiple illnesses.
A funeral service for Stanley will take place at 5:00 pm on Sunday, March 25, at South Otselic Methodist Church, 102 Clarence Rd. South Otselic with Rev. Carl Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday from 3:00 pm until the time of service. Stanley will be laid to rest with military honors at South Side Cemetery in Plymouth at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Stanley’s memory may be made to the South Otselic Methodist Church, 102 Clarence Rd. South Otselic 13155. Arrangements have been entrusted to R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.