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In Loving Memory
Rich Hartnell

Rich Hartnell

8/13/1969  —  6/2/2026


Proko Funeral Home

A Life Remembered

Obituary

Richard Lee Hartnel, 56 years old of Kenosha, WI passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Sandusky, OH.

He was born August 13, 1969, in Kenosha, WI, the son of Kenneth Hartnell and Susan Champlin. He remained a lifelong resident.

Rich was a talented musician, and his love of music permeated throughout his life. Rich was also a talented Harley Davidson master level mechanic and custom builder. These passions afforded him a life filled with adventure.

Rich never met a stranger who didn’t become a friend. He was a devoted husband and loving partner to his wife Jamie for 43 years, and a proud father to his son, Jacob.

He is further survived by his mother, Susan Champlin; wife Jamie Hartnell; son, Jacob Hartnell; sisters Michelle Morin and Tammy Pierce, and brother Christopher Pierce.

Memorial Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Proko Funeral Home. A memorial service will take place at 6:00 p.m. Friday.

Service Details

Gatherings in remembrance

Memorial Visitation

Friday, June 26, 2026 · 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Proko Funeral Home & Crematory
5111-60th Street, Kenosha, WI 53144

Memorial Service

Friday, June 26, 2026 · 6:00 PM

Proko Funeral Home & Crematory
5111-60th Street, Kenosha, WI 53144

Messages of Love

From family and friends

Kathy Wolf July 1, 2026
So sorry for your loss of a great man. He will always be remembered with a loving spirit and a smile that made everyone’s day a little better. The road will never be the same without his presence. We love and miss you Rich….
Alfonso Deleon June 28, 2026
ride on brother until we meet again on a two lane ride into a beautiful sunset
Carrie June 27, 2026
He was always smiling and so FUN & positive around the rallies!
Dana (Patrick) Cannon June 27, 2026
So very sorry for your loss. I had some of the best times visiting Wayne and Sues house when we were kids. The grown ups chatted and played cards or whatever and there’s no telling what us kids were getting in to! Ritchie was usually gone somewhere with Jamie, or about to leave to go get her. Chris, Missy and me would be playing some sort of game somewhere in the house or outside. I remember us going in Richie’s room looking thru his hard rock music. I’m pretty sure it’s where I saw my first KISS record. This breaks my heart for you all❤️
Grego June 26, 2026
Rich was the king of the miniature electric choppers at the rallies..it was crazzy to see him ride it up the street to Suck Bang N Blow in myrtle Beach..Great guy.gonna miss that smile on the left side of the Skully Tent. Had allot of story telling there..R.I.P. Bro
Samuel donohue June 23, 2026
You were one of the truest friend godspeed rich you will allways be my friend who i could never forget and will forever be my friend.
Uncle John & Aunt Trish June 21, 2026
God took Richie way too soon and he took him pretty quick, Lord we pray he did't suffer much we were just numb when we got the horrible news. I don't rhink his bags were packed and he was ready to go, but God took him anyway and from the talented musician qnd singer that he was, Rich is now singing with the angels in Heaven. Today is fathers day and Rich was truly a loving devoted hard working father and husband who always fought the good fight for what was right and was away from home at the time to get the bills paid for his family, I am familiar with the area the accident took place in and it is very hustle and bussle don't take much for the traffic to keep up on you nomatter how close you whatch'em our first thoughts were " NO NOT RICHIE!" but God takes who he wants when he wants and the rest of us just got to learn to live with it nomatter how hard and tear jerking it is. When I got the news and was feeling bad I stepped out our backdoor and saw a baby bunny looking at me real close and unaffraid and I could sense Rich's Spirit near me and I looked at a nest of Baby robins that finally stuck thier heads out of the nest above the door and began to sing for the first time and rhat was all I needed to know Rich came to say Goodbye. If you look around Rich will always be alive in our hearts. I will never forget that young brilliant good looking 16 year old guy that shook my hand and became a friend in our lives and a nephew along with Jamie before they married. Rich spent his life in Rock'n'Roll & Harley Heaven and If he could get another word back to us he would say " I want everyone to know I love you and I had the time of my Life!' RIP dear nephew and great friend. ---Uncle John & Aunt Trish
Linda Nelson June 17, 2026
So sorry for your loss Susie.

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Proko Funeral Home