LARTZ, JOHN F., JR.

John F. “Jack” Lartz, 76, a retired official of the U.S. Information Agency and a veteran of World War II, died of a heart ailment March 22, 1999 at his home on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Mr. Lartz was a Washington native and a graduate of Roosevelt High School. He served in the Marine Corps in Edson’s Raiders in the Pacific in World War II and was wounded in action. His military decorations included the Purple Heart.

After the war, Mr. Lartz graduated from the University of Maryland. In 1949, while still a student, he became a photographer for The Washington Post. In the early 1950s, he joined the old International News Service. He was a member of the White House News Photographers Association.

In 1956, he began his career with the USIA as a writer and photographer. He served two tours of duty in the Philippines as an information officer. He was assigned to Voice of America when he retired in 1982.

A former resident of Rockville, Mr. Lartz had lived on Hilton Head since 1989.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Lartz of Hilton Head; two children, Carole Goodwin of Atlanta and John F. Lartz III of Poolesville; a sister, Jane E. Schneider of Berlin, Md.; and four grandchildren.

Inurnment, with military honors, Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium, Wednesday, April 7, at 9 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to World War II Memorial, American Battle Monument Commission, P.O. Box 96766, Washington, DC 20005.