More detail on this person: Ira L. Hartwell Jr. Dothan AL United States Ira L. Hartwell, Jr. Ira L. Hartwell, Jr. of Marlow, NH, passed away at 0514 hours, November 23, 2010 and in his home, peacefully, painlessly and surrounded by his wife and son. He was 80. He was born in his Grandmother's home in Manchester, VT on 27 Sept., 1930. He is survived by his wife JoAnn, and children Mike and Judy Hartwell and Steve, Barrie and Ben Johnson. He is also survived by his brothers Ed and John Hartwell. He graduated High School in Manchester, VT. then joined the US Army during the Korean War as a combat engineer, became an infantryman through necessity and one day, volunteered to fly helicopters. He earned the rank of E-7 quite quickly and was promoted to the officer corps when he became a pilot. While working full-time as an active duty soldier he earned his Baccalaureate degree. He served during the Viet Nam War as an aviator flying the Huey helicopter and eventually Commanded "A" (Alpha) Company, 25 Aviation Battalion which was a MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) unit. He married and became father to Mike, Judy and Lynn, was widowed, then married JoAnn and became father also, to Steve (Rob), Barrie and Ben. He achieved the rank of Major while stationed at Ft. Rucker, AL as an instructor pilot and retired with 20 years of service in Enterprise, AL. His outstanding service during many tours of combat and non-combat duty were recognized with numerous accolades. He was awarded; Bronze Stars, Air Medals, Meritorious Service Medals and Purple Hearts. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira L. and Dorothy Hartwell Sr., and his daughter, Lynn A. Hartwell. Ira enjoyed golfing, fishing, quality family time, teaching his sons firearms safety, leading them to learn hunting, playing board and family games, especially cribbage which his father taught him and he taught all his family. In fact, he played a game of cribbage the day before he passed away! After his military career in Enterprise, AL he became a life insurance salesman and then a salesman at Garwood Industries. Once all the children either joined the military or moved away (5 joined and Lynn married an Airman) he then became a golf-pro at the Edgewood Country Club in, New Jersey. He and JoAnn moved from there to Virginia Beach, Virginia where he was a senior marketer and eventually ran a 40-acre warehouse for the US Navy. They finally moved back to New England to Marlow, New Hampshire so Mom could get him far enough into the woods to finally retire! He found another job working with a large local nursery for a few years 'just to have something to do'. He was an active member of the Rotary club, St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Enterprise, AL, the Boy Scouts of America, the YMCA and other local organizations while in Alabama. In New Hampshire he was a member of the Oddfellows Association and The Marlow Methodist Church, Marlow, NH. The family requests instead of flowers or gifts that cash gifts be given to these two churches respective to where anyone wanting to send something lives. There are currently no scheduled services. Ira and JoAnn's son Ben is living with them in Marlow and will be taking care of arrangements for a "Celebration of Life" when JoAnn so desires (probably in the Spring around May sometime). Ben will notify friends and family accordingly. He can be reached at (603) 762-7271. Ira is dearly loved by all family and many friends and will be greatly missed. May we all celebrate his life!
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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