Ralph Hartley

Ralph Hartley, 81, of Fishers, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2024.

Ralph, or “Butch” as he was known to many, was born on April 9, 1943, and grew up in Oakfield, Wisconsin. He graduated from Wayland Academy in 1961 and went on to attend Lawrence University, graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He was a sales representative for Maurice Sporting Goods for decades, a career that brought him to Indianapolis in the mid-1970s.

For years, Ralph was an active member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Indianapolis, where he visited and helped the needy. He also was a volunteer tutor at St. Monica Catholic School. In recent years, he was a member of St. Louis de Montfort parish in Fishers. He will be remembered for his deep faith in God along with his sense of humor, honesty, and the way he valued and showed up for the people, pets, and plants in his life, even through years of his own losses and physical pain. Golfing was his lifelong passion from the age of 6; he belonged to some local leagues, and was never happier than when on the links. He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, having attended their first game at Lambeau Field in 1957.

Most of all, Ralph cherished his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Judith (Putnam) Hartley; his daughters, Kelly (Hartley) Kendall of Indianapolis and Bonney Hartley of Williamstown, Massachusetts; his grandson, Norbu Hartley, also of Williamstown; his sister, Martha (Hartley) Zunker of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Pamela (Hartley) Steffes.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church, 11441 Hague Road, Fishers, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 12. The viewing will begin at 10 a.m.