John E. Hartzler, 100, died Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. He was born May 7, 1912 in Elkhart, Ind., the son of John E. and Mamie (Yoder) Hartzler. He was married on Dec. 23, 1934 to Christine J. Blosser.

John was a graduate of Bluffton High School and earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in History at the College of Wooster, and both the Master of Arts Degree in Political Science and the Ph.D. in Educational Administration at The Ohio State University.

He was a teacher and principal at Ashland High School from 1936 until 1957, when he assumed the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Akron Public Schools. Dr. Hartzler was an accomplished musician and enjoyed working with Dr. Louie Pete in the Music Department at AHS, with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, and with the All-Ohio-Boys' Band at the Ohio State Fair.

After his retirement in 1972, he spent his time pursuing his hobbies: playing the organ, woodworking, piloting his airplane, gardening, and traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific.

Dr. Hartzler was preceded in death by his wife, Christine and one sister, Helen C. Hartzler. He is survived by his daughters, Marsha (Vernon) Nickel of Newbury, Ohio and Sara (Robert) Hill of Ashland. Also surviving are six grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

A private family burial will be observed at a later date at the Violett Cemetery, Goshen, Ind. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ashland City Schools Academic Foundation, the John E. Hartzler Scholarship Fund in care of the Ashland County Community Foundation, or Hospice of North Central Ohio.