Silent keys

Silent Key is a term of respect for a deceased amateur radio operator. The key in the term refers to a telegraph key, the instrument that all early amateur radio operators, as well as many contemporary amateur radio operators, have used to send Morse code.

The term SK is used in telegraphy to indicate an end of transmission. Today, the term is commonly used within the radio community as a sign of respect and condolence regardless of whether the deceased was an amateur radio operator.

You can submit a Slient Key to secure@w8we.org with the name of person, obituary notice, also their club affiliations, ect.

 

Michael Lynn Hartge WO8R

Obituary published on Mar. 18, 2026.

Michael Hartge, Age 68, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Ohio Health Mansfield surrounded by his loving family.

Michael was born on October 21, 1957, in Shelby, Ohio, to Richard Eugene and Hazel Joyce (Ramey) Hartge. Michael was a lifelong Shelby resident, graduating from Shelby High School in 1975. He was a jack of all trades, but focused mainly on electrical engineering with his 20-year career at Bender Communications.

Michael was a family man through and through. He enjoyed the simple things in life, especially spending time with his family. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he cherished every moment with them. With an open and welcoming personality, Michael was someone people naturally felt comfortable confiding in and talking to. Blessed with a quick wit and a natural gift for humor, he was known as the family comedian-always ready with a joke to make others laugh and brighten their day.

Michael was also incredibly intelligent and loved to tinker. A genuine “MacGyver,” he had a remarkable ability to create something out of nothing and could fix just about anything. He had a deep passion for ham radio and was a self-taught meteorologist. Through his work with SKYWARN, he closely monitored weather patterns and was always ready to pass along information about incoming dangerous weather to help keep others safe.

He is survived by the mother of his children and lifelong friend, Donna Dorsey; his two children, Jessica (Travis Paynter) Hartge of North Fairfield, Ohio and Sonya (Brad Howell) Hartge of Shelby; four grandchildren, Dakota and Jerzee West both of North Fairfield, and Junior and Carter Chinn of Shelby; three siblings, Robert (Susan) Hartge of Shelby, Linda Hartge of Shelby, Judy Holmes of Mansfield; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends who will miss him dearly.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved infant daughter, Valerie Hartge.

Timothy Pruner KC8JFA Obituary

Timothy Wendell Pruner, age 64 of Crestline, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, January 30, 2026. He was born on December 15, 1961, in Mansfield to the late Harold Wendell and Shirley Anne (Snyder) Pruner, and on May 14, 1986, he married his beloved wife, Brenda (Blanton)..

Tim graduated from Ontario High School in the class of 1982, and he went on to attend the law enforcement academy. After the academy, he joined the United States Navy, and then he went on to work for the Ohio State Reformatory, MANCI, and RICI. Throughout his lifetime, he also worked as a sheriff’s deputy for both Richland and Crawford counties, and he was a resource officer at Colonel Crawford School. Most recently, he was employed as a security guard.

He was a member of Mansfield Baptist Temple and enjoyed driving the church bus on Sunday mornings. He also drove bus for Richland New Hope and Ontario Schools. He was a ham and CB radio operator and could program radios. He also enjoyed trains and instrumental music, especially the saxophone. While he was growing up in Ontario, he delivered papers, often on his tractor.

He is survived by his wife Brenda Pruner; his children Tabitha Vergara, Brittany Woods, Tiffany Esposito, and Brandy Duncan; his grandchildren Maria, Malaquias, Payton, Logan, Elijah, Eleanor, Emily, Keith, Jr., Kalvin, and Sitara; his sisters Cathy Pruner, Pam (Dave) Smith, and Becky (John) Kurtz; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tim was preceded in death on December 18, 2001, by his mother Shirley (Snyder) Pruner; and on February 18, 2021, by his father Harold Wendell Pruner.