Hartzell Givens, 99, of Taylorville, IL died at 3:00 am Friday, December 2, 2011 at Taylorville Care Center.

He was born November 29, 1912 in Heyworth, IL the son of John P. and Rosa L. Hawthorne Givens. His mother was a cousin of the famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne. On June 16, 1940 he married Louise D. Dunbar in Taylorville and she preceded him in death on January 11, 1999.

Hartzell graduated from Eureka College in 1936, and on the 75th anniversary of his graduation he was the oldest living graduate of Eureka College. He then went to Loyola University where he graduated with his Juris Doctorate in 1939. Hartzell had the rare distinction among lawyers of having been one of the few that never lost a case. Hartzell specialized in Abstracting and Title work and went to work for Chicago Title Company in Chicago after graduation. He came to Taylorville in January 1946 and worked at the Taylor Abstracting Co. His association with Chicago Title and Trust lasted for 75 years.

Hartzell was a veteran of World War II serving with the Navy in the Seabees. One of his assignments was in the Marshall Islands and he was present at Tinian when the Enola Gay took off for Hiroshima. The Taylorville Chamber of Commerce awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.

Locally, Hartzell was a member of the Davis Memorial Christian Church. He was a member of the Taylorville Chamber of Commerce and served as its President from 1962-1963 when it was known as the Association of Commerce and Industry. He had been active with the Taylorville Industrial Development Association, Boy Scouts of America, Christian County Zoning Board of Appeals, and many other civic and fraternal groups.

Surviving are his son, Robert Givens of Taylorville and granddaughter, Alexis Givens of Springfield. Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, 4 brothers and a sister.

Memorials may be sent to: Davis Memorial Christian Church, 1500 W. Franklin, Taylorville, IL 62568 or V.F.W. Post 4495, 500 West Ave., Taylorville, IL 62568.