Lena Ruth Hartz Aull

Lena Ruth Hartz Aull, 85, of Philpot, died on Friday, January 9, 2026, surrounded by family. The 14th of 15 children of the late Robert and Floella Lanham Hartz, Lena was born on March 30, 1940. Before settling in Philpot in 1988 with her late husband of 57 years Joseph Allen Aull, the couple lived in Knottsville KY, Hamilton, OH, Lewisport, KY, and Petersburg, IN. Lena attended Owensboro Catholic High School before marrying Joe in 1957. For many years she helped support Joe’s ventures in the coal and cattle industry.

A longtime and devoted member of Saints Joseph and Paul Catholic Church, Lena prayed her rosary daily. She volunteered at the Mary Carrico School, which her children attended, and supported her children’s varied interests. Lena was well known and beloved for her selfless generosity and giving spirit. Her philanthropy included both charitable giving in the community and countless acts of quiet, everyday assistance to individuals in need, whether friends or strangers—kindness that earned her the affectionate name of “Miss Lena”. For her service to her community, she was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor in 2018.

When not helping others, Lena enjoyed reading suspense novels and rooting for the UK basketball team. But most of all, Lena loved spending time with family, attending grandchildren’s extracurricular activities, leading a Brownie Scout troop, and traveling with her husband. In later years, she took great joy in elaborate, multi-generational family trips to locations around the world, including a Mediterranean cruise, a trip to the Vatican, and stays in Hawaii and Alaska.

In addition to her husband, Lena was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Joseph (Joey) Aull; a daughter and her husband, Lisa and Jerry Huffman; her sisters, Alberta McCarty, Mildred McCarthy, Helen Riney, and Lena Mae Hartz; and her brothers, John Hartz, Robert Hartz Jr., Charles Edward Hartz, Joseph Vincent Hartz, William Carl Hartz, James Hartz, Donald Hartz, and Dean Hartz.

Surviving are her son, Tim (Lisa) Aull of Philpot; three daughters, Jackie (Mike) Mize of Florence, Terri (John) Wick of Philpot, and Vickie (Kevin) Insko of Philpot; a daughter-in-law, Audrey Aull of Owensboro; nine grandchildren, Wesley Aull, Matt (Kelsey) Aull, Jason Huffman, William J. (Kim) Aull, Chassity (Josh) Evans, Zachary Aull, Joseph M (Brooke), Jessica M, and Jacob M Insko; nine great-grandchildren, Talena Huffman, Hannah, Maggie, and Gavin Aull, Lilly and Fletcher Evans, Crawford, Weller, and Hayes Aull; and her siblings, Martha Payne and Shirley Howard.

The funeral Mass for Lena will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Saints Joseph and Paul Catholic Church with burial following in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday with prayers at 6:30 p.m. at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and from 8:30 till 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Saints Joseph and Paul Catholic Church, 609 East 4th Street Owensboro, KY 42303; Wendell Foster, 815 Triplett Street Owensboro, KY 42303; and Dream Riders of Kentucky, 4705 Winkler Road Philpot, KY 42366.

Memories and condolences for the family of Lena Aull may be left at www.glenncares.com.