Lester J. Hartings, age 79 of St. Henry, died on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater.

He was born on August 19, 1936 in Cranberry Prairie to the late Joseph and Mary (Evers) Hartings. He loved his wife, Dolores (Clune) Hartings, of almost 55 years whom he married on September 16, 1961 and she survives in St. Henry.

He is also survived by 10 children: Joyce & Robert Steinbrunner, St. Henry, Dianne & Dave Trentman, Vandalia, Nancy Hartings, Minster, Lisa & Larry Dailey, St. Henry, Kevin & Pamela Hartings, Tipp City, Scott & Shelly Hartings, St. Henry, Jeff & Rebecca Hartings, Delaware, Amy & Bruce Buschur, St. Henry, Joe & Rachel Hartings, Dublin, and Ben & Lynn Hartings, Lewis Center; 38 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, one grandchild on the way, and four great grandchildren; siblings: Ernest & Alfreda Hartings, Coldwater, Patricia Broerman, New Bremen, Betty & Jack Romer, St. Henry, Linus & Carol Hartings, Coldwater, and Myron & Patty Hartings, Mendon; and in-laws: Linus & Sandy Clune, St. Henry, Paul & Janet Clune, New Weston, Urban & Peg Clune, St. Henry, Carol Beckman, Coldwater, Don Clune, Ft. Loramie, and David & Janice Clune, St. Henry.

He is preceded in death by two grandchildren; siblings: Evelyn & Louis Bertke, Virginia Hartings, Virgil Hartings, Thelma & Lawrence Broerman; and in-laws: Alfred Broerman, and Alice Clune.

He was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church, and the St. Henry Knights of Columbus, where he served as a past Grand Knight.

Lester was a graduate of St. Henry High School, served in the Ohio Army National Guard, and was a past school board member. He worked for Cy Schwieterman Inc. for 40 years. He was a lifelong farmer and a pro-life advocate.

He enjoyed watching his sons and grandsons play football through the years. Lester had a love for the Lord and his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 11, 2016 at St. Henry Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Henry Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 until 8 pm Thursday and 9 until 10 am Friday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry.

In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Henry Bank where an account has been set up for Jessica Stienecker, Lester's granddaughter who is currently battling cancer.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.