Harold Wayne Chartier passed away September 14, 2026, at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan after a brief battle with cancer.

Harold was born May 27, 1934, the oldest child of Delbert and Merna (Cyr) Chartier. Born during the Dust Bowl, his mother hung wet sheets over the windows to keep the dust off her baby boy. He attended Clyde schools and graduated in 1952.

In 1955, at a dance at the armory in Concordia, Harold met Carole Mayer, who thought he was a pretty good dancer. They married April 19, 1957, beginning a marriage and partnership that lasted 69 years.

Harold welded with Lyle Timmons on gas pipelines and drilled irrigation wells with George W. Cox and Sons Well Drilling, where Frances Cox called him “one of my boys.” He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959. After returning from Germany, Harold began his farming career, raising corn, soybeans, wheat, and hogs.

In 1975, Harold began selling seed for Pioneer Hybrid Seeds, a career he continued through 2002, with his primary focus on corn. Known throughout the area as the “Seed Man,” Harold was an enthusiastic advocate for the weigh wagon, comparing yield results with competitors. He later continued working as a delivery driver for Reed Seeds for several more years.

Harold was a tremendous champion of the community in which he was raised. He served on the Clyde City Commission, the Historical Societies for Clyde and Cloud County, becoming the area historian; the Clyde Area Foundation; Clyde Community LLC; the Economic Development Committee; the Clifton Coop Elevator Board; and the Ames Cemetery Board. In 2012, Harold and Carole were honored as recipients of the Harold & Leola Woods Community Service Award.

Family was at the heart of Harold’s life. He was an active supporter of his children’s activities, whether serving as a 4-H leader or attending school music programs and football events. He and Carole made numerous trips to watch their grandchildren and extended family participate in their activities, traveling as far as Wisconsin and Illinois to cheer them on. Becoming a grandpa and then a great-grandpa brought him so much joy.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Delbert and Merna Chartier; his in-laws, Lavern (Pete) and Helen Mayer; and his brother, Charles Chartier.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Carole, of the home; daughter Lisa Chartier Burgess of Manhattan; son Brett (Terry) Chartier of Ottawa; granddaughter Laura (Jarrod) Ingold of Ottawa; grandson Brock Chartier of Newbury Park, CA; and four great-granddaughters, Emily, Ella, Myra, and Tessa Ingold. He is also survived by his sister, Gwen (Jack) Dannar, extended family members, and a community of friends.

Harold never knew a stranger. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, doing so with a smile and often leaving someone with a life lesson—sometimes without even realizing he had given one.

Cremation has been chosen, with a celebration of life service to be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Clyde Community Historical Society or the Clyde Area Foundation.

Chaput Mortuary, Clyde, Kansas are in charge of arrangements.