ARLINGTON, Va. — Larry W. Hartley of Koontz Lake was laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery on Monday, July 7 — the most distinguished burial a nation can give its veterans.
Hartley’s sister, Dorothy Snowdon of Knox, said he received a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps, while an honor guard held the flag over his cremains throughout the ceremony. Later, the flag was folded and handed to his brother, Gary Hartley.
“It was very emotional, very solemn, so formal. I’ll never forget it,” Snowden said. She described how the honor guard  unfolded the flag, held it over the cremains as the chaplain delivered his message. The soldiers then meticulously folded the flag again.

Hartley, who was a Koontz Lake firefighter, died Sunday, July 15, 2007 in Allegheny Hospital, Pittsburgh, from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash at 4:30 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 470 in Richland Township just east of the Ohio Valley Mall. He was 55.
He was a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army, a distinction which merited his burial in Arlington, according to Gary Hartley. Gary is a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Navy.
Gary Hartley listed the following awards that Larry received, in order of precedence are: Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (6), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service with three bronze stars, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Badge with Palm, Expert Rifle and Pistol.
Attending the ceremonies near the nation’s capital were 16 people from the area,, including most of the family and Auditor Michaelene and Jeff Houston from Starke County. Snowden is a deputy clerk in Michaelene’s office.
Hartley was driving a 2007 Harley-Davidson motorcycle west on I-470 when he traveled off the left side of the road and struck the guardrail three times.
He was ejected over an embankment, and the motorcycle came to rest on the road. Troopers said he was not speeding, and was wearing a helmet. He was riding alone, police said. He was on a trip to raise money for fallen firefighters.
Hartley was well known in Starke County as one of the founding members of the Starke County Firefighters Association Honor Guard. He and the team gained fame when they appeared in Ladder 49, a movie starring John Travolta.
He served for 20 years with the U.S. Army. At the time of his death, he was Michigan City District Manager for Superior Ambulance.
He taught many of the firefighter training classes locally.
Survivors include two daughters: Theressa Hartley and Heidi (Richard) Jackson, all of Terre Haute; his mother, Lola Hartley of Knox; his sister, Dorothy Snowdon of Knox; two brothers: Gary (Terry) of Jacksonville, Fla. and James of Trinidad, Colo.; and three grandchildren.
Memorial services were held on Saturday, July 21, 2007, at Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel. Military honor and firefighter honor services also were held.