Obituary of Merle E. Hartley

WESTFIELD - Merle E. Hartley, age 72, of Jefferson St., Westfield, NY, died Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at Westfield Memorial Hospital, following a brief illness. Merle was born on June 5, 1939 in Erie, PA, the son of the late Joseph and Edith (Wagner) Hartley. Merle was a 1957 graduate of McDowell High School in Millcreek, PA and when Merle became a teenager, he was working with his father at the family Pontiac Dealership in Girard, PA. Merle's passion was for anything with a motor, how they worked, how they were made and how they could be made better. These interests were life-long passions of his. Over the years, Merle's dealership affiliations included the family dealerships of Rambler in Erie, PA, Hartley Ford of Fredonia, NY, Dodge City of Westfield, and Hartley Buick in Jamestown, NY. In later years, Merle became a contractor with Lake City Housing, building many homes in northern Chautauqua County. Merle also had owned and operated Hartley Car Wash, with locations in both Westfield and Mayville, NY. He was an amazing woodworker who enjoyed working on "one of a kind" things in his shop for his friends and family. Merle believed in honesty and integrity and believed that a hand shake meant more than words on paper. He knew how to be a good friend and we will all miss his great sense of humor. Mr. Hartley was a member of Loyal Order of Moose Lodge # 118 of Westfield, and a former social member of the Westfield and Mayville American Legions and the Mayville VFW. He is survived by his children: Bonnie L. Hartley of East Aurora, NY, Brenda (Scott) Hartley-Sampson of Mayville, NY and Brian J. (Denise) Hartley of Mooresville, NC and their mother Geraldine (Robie) Hartley of Westfield. He was the loving grandfather of Nathan, Lauren, Justin, Christopher, Heather and Eliot. He is also survived by his twin Brother, Marvin "Mickey" Hartley of Jamestown, NY. He is further survived by his loving companion of 14 Yrs., Denise "Dee Dee" Fuller with whom he made his home. He was preceded in death by his brother, Murray Hartley. Friends may call on Friday, August 5, 2011, from 4-7 PM at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street, Westfield, NY. In respecting Merle's wishes, funeral services will be private for his family, with burial in Grahamville Cemetery, North East, PA. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmont Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750 or to the Westfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, 189 East Main Street, Westfield, NY 14787. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Hartley family a message of sympathy.