Raymond
Edward "Ed" Hartbarger, 73, Bonners Ferry,
passed away on November 5, 2016, after a short
illness. No services are planned.Ed was born February 3, 1943, in Toledo, Ohio. He was the third of four children born to Raymond and Orlean Hartbarger. Ed spent his childhood doing the typical boy things of the time, but in high school developed a love of motorcycles, lived a fast life and was quite the scrapper.
In early 1965 the handsome Ed met the lovely Joyce Sheets and immediately asked her to cancel all the dates she had planned because he knew she was "the one."
They married on October 30, 1965, in a very memorable ceremony. This year they celebrated 51 years of dedication to one another.
Ed's chosen career was as a lineman. An opportunity to go into partnership with another lineman brought him to Montana in 1972. An injury took him back to Ohio to work, but his heart belonged in northern Idaho and he worked with a construction company on his way to employment with Northern Lights. He retired from Northern Lights in 2009 after a career that built many power lines and helped keep the lights on and the homes warm for all in Boundary County.
He finished his career with his very good friend Bob Sherrill, who remained by his side until the end.
If line work was what Ed did, his family was truly who he was. He loved his wife and two sons, Ed and Wade, completely. The four of them rode all over on their mules and horses, creating memories and stories to last a lifetime. He also was an avid hunter, fisherman and collector of things. He taught his boys how to snow ski, how to shoot guns and how to be good, authentic, loving men and fathers.
Ed is survived by his loving wife Joyce, his sons Ed (Jennifer) and Wade (Annette), grandchildren Tyler, Jessica (Jason), Kyle and Kurt, and great granddaughter Serenity. He is also survived by brothers Bob (Phyllis) and Dennis (Toni). He also leaves his faithful companions Spike and Chopper.
The family will celebrate his life at a ride into the mountains he loved at a later time.