Funeral services will be offered for Vincent Alfred Hartl Monday, Feb. 5, 2007 at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor Herbert B. Cleveland officiating. Burial with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard follows at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Vincent Alfred Hartl, 86, Spearfish, died on Friday, Feb. 2, 2007 at the Fort Meade VA Hospital near Sturgis.

Vincent was born July 8, 1920 at Marcus, S.D, to Herman Alfred and Janetta (Fillingham) Hartl. He graduated from Sturgis High School and joined the National Guard at age 17, then enlisted in the regular Army. He also graduated from welding school in Rapid City. During his time in service he welded target planes and was later transferred to the tank corps.

After his honorable discharge in 1944 he returned to South Dakota and was employed by the state engineers and the South Dakota Highway Department. He went to work for the Meade County Highway Department for 15 years and then went to work for the Homestake Mine for 27 years before he retired in 1985 as a security officer.

His family and friends will always remember Vince for his gentle nature and quick wit. He loved a good story and would always have a snappy comeback, a slight smile and a gleam in his eye. He treasured his time with his family and his many fishing excursions to Shadehill with his friend Ed. He loved fishing, hunting, driving his car, reading, and his dog Molly. But mostly he loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also dear to him were his nieces and nephews, especially Jerry Ross who served as a never-ending source of comfort to him.

Vince was united in marriage to Sonya Nelson in 1959. Into this union Sonya brought a daughter Shelly, who Vince loved and treated as his daughter. Together they had six children, Scott, Mark, Larry and Larry's triplet siblings Lyle and Lisa, who both died at birth, and Monte.

Survivors include his sons Mark (Sharon) Hartl, Spearfish, Scott Hartl, Spearfish, Larry Hartl, Spearfish, Monte Hartl, Rapid City; one step daughter, Rachel "Shelly" Donelon, Black Hawk; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his two infant children, two brothers and two sisters.