Sandra Diane Hartzler

December 22, 1943 - October 20, 2020

On October 20, 2020, Sandra Diane (Miller) Hartzler breathed her first breath of Heaven at the age of 76. She was a much loved mom to her 3 children, Monica (Mike) Prescott, Jennifer Hartzler, Bruce (Niovi) Hartzler; an incredible nana to her 4 grandchildren Kaelan (Serena), Samara, Kyveli & Rhea; as well as recently earning the title ‘great grand-nana’ to Grae (Monica). The tender part of her story however, is that she was the devoted, loving wife to her husband Phil of 54 years, who passed away just one month prior (September 19, 2020). If you knew Phil & Sandy, you might wonder if her soul truly couldn’t be separated from him. Sandy was born on December 22, 1943, in Goshen, IN, to Crist & Mattie Miller. She was predeceased by her parents, and she will be greatly missed by her siblings Karen (John) Vandermaas, Dalis (Doyle) Bloss, Steve (Melody) Miller, and Barry Miller. If there was a career path called ‘Mom’, you could say Sandy achieved the Title of Distinction. Not only in the typical sense of being the crafty, game-playing, adventure-loving mom and nana, who lived hospitality as an art form, but probably even more so through the transparent, heartfelt ways she opened her life and drew you in, sharing her stories and wisdom, becoming ‘mom’ and ‘spiritual mom’ to so many. One of her greatest passions was for people to know Jesus. This is something she and Phil lived out whether it was mentoring couples in their marriages, teaching, leading Bible Studies, or one-to-one moments sharing their love for Jesus with others. They formed many decades-long friendships with those they ministered to, not only locally but internationally through mission trips abroad, as well as Canada, where they resided and ministered as pastors for 12 years. (*For a more detailed version of Sandy’s life, please check out Proverbs 31:10-31. Yes, she was all that and more  ) The friend-, sister-, nana-, mom & spiritual mom-hole Sandy is leaving behind will be big and felt by many. But what’s greater is the amazing legacy she’s leaving behind in the lives of those who knew (or just met) her. “But for [her] it was only the beginning of the real story. All [her] life in this world and all [her] adventures…had only been the cover and the title page: now at last [she was] beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” – Adapted & personalized from C.S. Lewis, “The Last Battle” A Celebration of Life will take place at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators Phone: 1-800-992-5433 Mail: Wycliffe Bible Translators; P.O. Box 628200; Orlando, FL 32862 Rieth-Rohrer-Ehret Funeral Home, Goshen, is handling arrangements and online condolences may be sent at www.rrefh.com