Ira H. “Hank” Hartwell Jr. passed away March 8, 2025, at his home in Shelbyville.
He was born in Columbus, Indiana on July 5, 1937, the loving son of Ira H. “Hank” Sr and Lottie (Lewis) Hartwell. He was raised in Shelbyville and graduated from Waldron High School in 1955.
Hank was a very talented artist, drawing anything from blueprints to cartoons and everything in between. He held a love for antiques his entire life and became an auctioneer in 1974. He owned and operated Hank’s Country Corner Auction and Antiques for many years. He had a talent for restoring antiques and upholstering furniture, giving new life to loved treasures. He bought and sold many things, often visiting flea markets all over the state.
Hank was a supervisor at Arvin’s in Franklin, Indiana for many years. After his retirement, he operated as “Trader Hank” on e-bay, continuing his love of bartering. Hank loved reading and watching old westerns and Jeopardy on TV. He loved playing poker, solitaire and many other computer games. He was an extremely talented pool player and had won many tournaments and trophies. He was known for his quick wit and always had a joke ready.
Hank will be missed by his wife, Mary, whom he married Sept. 9, 2005. He will forever be the hero of his daughters, Terry (Kent) Baxter, Stacy (Mark) Fields, Jana (Darrin) Crisman, Misty (Bill) Elliott, all of Shelbyville, and Julie (Dwayne) Steward, of Madison, and his sons, Alan Hartwell of Moscow, IN and Jack Hartwell (Angie) of Madison. He will be forever loved and missed by his grandchildren, Jason, Travis, Ciara, Zach, Luc, Jeni, Chris, Holly, Morgan, Danny, Dustin, Lindsey, Meagan, Ashley, Shawn, Cassie, Austin, Trevor, Stephen, Cody and Seth. He was blessed with many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends who loved him dearly.
Hank is preceded in death by his father, Hank Sr., died Sept. 12, 1979, his mother, Lottie, died April 22, 1988, his son, Ira H. “Skip” Hartwell, died July 8, 2023, and his grandson, Dylan Branham, died July 13, 1991.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 12, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176.
Funeral services will be Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 11 a.m. at funeral home with graveside services and burial to follow at Bennett’s Cemetery in Manilla, IN.
Funeral Directors, Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Hank’s family.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hank’s granddaughter, Lindsey’s Liver Transplant Recovery Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
