Hartzler, Coleman Clark

Coleman Clark Hartzler (1887-1976) and his wife, Lucy, were missionaries to the Congo.

Coleman Hartzler was born on July 24, 1887 in Brookfield, Missouri. He graduated from Missouri Wesleyan College in 1910 and received his M.A. degree from the University of Southern California in 1914. The following year he graduated from Garrett Biblical Institute.

Lucinda Lee Padrick was born on November 19, 1890 in Escondido, California. She graduated from the State Normal School at Los Angeles, California and attended the University of Southern California from 1914 to 1915.

The Hartzlers sailed for Africa in December of 1916 with their infant son, James. They spent over twenty-five years in the Congo at five different stations: Kambove(1917-1918), Mulungwishi(1918), Kabongo(1919- 1933), Kanene and Jadotville(1933-1942). While there, the Hartzlers helped to build and establish schools and ministered to the people. Lucy gave birth to three more sons, one of whom died in infancy. The others, Omar and Lynn, assisted them in their missionary work. In 1934, in recognition of his services, the Belgian monarch conferred upon Coleman Hartzler the " Order of the Lion." In about 1942, Coleman Hartzler suffered medical problems which forced their return to the United States.

The Hartzlers were never able to return to the Congo. For the remainder of his career, Coleman served as a pastor and preacher in various places, primarily in Southern California. Their son, Omar, returned to Africa as a missionary. Lucy Hartzler died on June 27, 1970 in Los Angeles. Coleman Hartzler died on July 4, 1976.