James “Houston” Hartline, 88

James Houston Hartline, 88, of Madisonville, KY died Friday, May 1, 2026 at his home on Barnsley Loop after a long illness.  He was born on August 10, 1937 in Madisonville, KY to the late Monroe and Clara Huddleston Hartline.

Houston was a cattle farmer and a coal miner for Island Creek Coal Company for forty years.  He trusted and loved the Lord and was a faithful member of the Earlington Methodist church.  He loved spending time with his family, being “Papa” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, being outdoors at the farm, and spending a month in Florida every year.  He loved to laugh and enjoyed his life.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Agnes Hartline; brothers, David Hartline and Jerry Hartline; his niece, Carla Hackney and his nephew, Stephen Hartline.

Houston is survived by his loving wife of sixty-six years, Lynda Rich Hartline; his children, Wesley (Kathy) Hartline, Jennifer (Ricky) Franklin and Amy (Sam) Conner; his grandchildren, Emily (Drew) Thomas, Allison (Anthony) Bratcher, Taylor (Ashli) Franklin, Samantha (Jon) Hobaugh, Jennifer (Dave) Lindsey and Jessica (Justin) Lee; his brothers Daniel Hartline and Ronnie Creekmur; ten great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  Special thanks to Brooke Murphy and Austin Gamblin for their kindness.

Funeral services will be held on Monday May 4, 2026 at 2:00PM at Earlington Methodist church in Earlington, KY with Marty Martinez officiating and burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Earlington.

Visitation will be held from 11:00AM until service time at 2:00PM at the church.

Pallbearers will be Wesley Hartline, Ricky Franklin, Sam Conner, Taylor Franklin, Drew Thomas, Danny Hartline, and Kevin Creekmur.

Honorary pallbearers will be Soloman Thomas, Elias Hartline, and Anderson Franklin.

Reid-Walters Funeral Home in Earlington, KY is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.reidwaltersfh.com.