Francis “Pat” J. Tarter, 84, of Rochester, Ind., and formerly of Akron, Ind., passed away at 6:13 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at her home.

She was born May 29, 1929, in Wabash, Ind., to C.G. and Lerrenia (Ryall) Lehman. On Oct. 5, 1947, in Greenfield, Ind., she married Fred O. Tarter. He died on Jan. 23, 1992.

She was employed at Controls of North Manchester and Chamberlain Products of Akron, as well as being a homemaker. She attended the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church of Akron and loved NASCAR. Her favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt Jr. She also enjoyed putting together puzzles.
She is survived by a son: Edward (Kristi) Tarter, Denver, Ind.; daughters: Sheila (Randy) Runkle, Macy, Ind.; Sherry Tarter, Rochester, Ind.; Sandy (Tom) Smith, Elkhart, Ind.; Shelly (Richard) Fry, Akron; 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son: Fred Chris Tarter; a daughter-in-law: Shelly Hile Tarter; a special friend: Frances Bowyer; and her step mother: Evelyn Younglove Lehman.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron. Services will follow at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home with Pastor Wayne Balmer. Burial is at Gaerte Cemetery in Macy, Ind.

Memorials may be made to the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.