Robert Keith Hartwell, 86, of Westport, passed away at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, February 19, 2021 at St. Andrew’s Health Campus in Batesville. He was born on February 20, 1934 in North Vernon, the son of Leonard and Martha (Long) Hartwell. Bob served in the Army in Germany (56-58). He attended North Vernon High School, Franklin College and R.E.T.S. Electronic School. He played football and basketball in High School and Football in College and the Army. He coached Little League Baseball, Football and Basketball and worked with Boy Scouts in Hamilton and Jennings County. Bob taught Sunday School and was a youth group leader and was chaplain of the North Vernon JAYCEES. He has served as Deacon at First Christian in North Vernon and a Trustee at Christ’s Way Christian. He worked at Arvins and Cummins and retired from Muscatatuck State School in 1996. His hobbies were his computers and his pond (with hearty goldfish). He married Lyndal McCullough in Westport on April 7, 1958. She preceded him in death on April 12, 2011. He is survived by his children, Benjamin (Judy) Hartwell, Beverly Thompson and Robert (Sue) Hartwell, his grandchildren Hannah and Alexander (Marie), Elizabeth (Kevin), Jessica (Greg), Charlee (Dillion), and Daniel (Madison) and great grandchildren Lennon and Preslee. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Coco-Bear and Coco-Bear’s playmates, Nikki and Natalie. Bob was predeceased by his loving wife of 53 years, Lyndal, his son-in-law Doug, who thought of Bob as a father, and many other beloved relatives and friends. The funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, February 26 at the Bass & Gasper Funeral Home in Westport, with his youngest son, Rev. Robert Hartwell, officiating. Calling will be before the service at 10 am. We ask visitors to follow social distancing guidelines once inside the funeral home and masks are required. Burial will be at the Westport Cemetery with Military Honors. The family wishes to thank the staff at Saint Andrew’s Health Campus and Margaret Mary Hospice in Batesville for their dedicated care of Bob. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Christ’s Way Christian Church, 2425 North State – Highway 3, North Vernon, In. 47265. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.bassgasper.com
