Ernest Hartwig

October 12, 1930 - January 29, 2012

Ernest Hartwig of Harlan passed away on Sunday, Jan. 29, at his home. He was 81 years old. He was born near Corning, Ark., to Ernest and Thelma Hartwig. His mother passed away when he was 4 years old, and his Aunt Irene and Uncle Dale became his surrogate parents. When he was about 8 years old, the family moved to California, where his uncle worked as a butcher for Safeway. After he graduated from high school, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, and was attached to the first guided-missile unit. He became a construction worker, and later owned and operated a crane service. He is survived by his wife, Velma; daughter, Kimberly of California; and son, Ernest of Tacoma, Wash. He is also survived by stepchildren, James Indreboe of Albany, Jessie Wahlenmaier of Everett, Wash., Hunter Galbreath and Rory Stiles of Corvallis, and Leah Stiles of Otis; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all. Viewing is set for 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home in Corvallis. He will be buried at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, at Harlan Cemetery, with a memorial at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of the Valley Church in Harlan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Benton Hospice Service.