Michael Hartley

Michael Don Hartley, 69 of Elizabethtown, NC and formerly Indianapolis, IN passed away on November 3, 2021. Michael's final days were spent surrounded by his immediate family who were blessed to have had him as a husband and father for many years.

Michael was born in Indianapolis, IN on August 30, 1952. He attended Northwest HS and Purdue University. As a US Marine, he served 2-1/2 tours in the Vietnam War as a CH46 helicopter pilot. He later served as personal protective detail, and held a distinguished career as a health and safety director for both Smithfield Foods and Mountaire Farms for a combined 33 years.

When Michael wasn't working, he enjoyed playing golf, boating, spending the holidays with his family and taking them on many unforgettable vacations. As an avid cruiser he traveled almost all of the Caribbean islands with his wife and family over the years. His largest project was building Hartley Stables where he trained horses, hunted the land, and spent many days fishing in the family pond. He certainly had a way of making things happen and created a life of value for himself and his family. His sense of humor was second to none, and could surely stretch a story for the purpose of entertaining. There was nothing that he loved more than his wife and children and often bragged on their many accomplishments.

Anyone lucky enough to truly get to know him learned quickly that he possessed a heart of gold, a fair mind for business, the occasional craving for a good cold beer, and a love for his family that ran unimaginably deep. Although Michael's time spent on earth was much too short for the plans he had and places he wished to travel, his family will live on to fulfill those desires.

The name Michael means "gift from God" and all of those close to him knew his parents named him well.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home in Elizabethtown, NC on Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 2pm-4pm. A Memorial service will be held at a later date for immediate family and a Celebration of Life will take place in Indianapolis, IN as well.

Michael is previously deceased by his parents Don and Delores Hartley of Indianapolis, IN; sister Debbie Knuckles of Indianapolis, IN

Michael is survived by his loving wife, Laura Pritchard Hartley; daughter Lisa Little and husband Daryl of Denver, CO; son James Hartley of Elizabethtown, NC; son Maxwell Hartley and fiancé Sarah Edmund of Fayetteville, NC; daughter Heather Wallstrom and husband Kyle of Virginia Beach, VA; grandson Joseph Lipofski and fiancé Victoria Seals of Elizabethtown, NC; granddaughter Katie Lipofski and great grandson Justin Fryar of Wallace, NC; brother Randy Hartley of Indianapolis, IN; brother Mark Hartley and wife Tina of Indianapolis, IN; sister Susie Burdine of Clearwater, FL; brother Bobby Hartley of Indianapolis, IN.