John Edward Hartman

John Edward Hartman, a loving, faith-filled, and selfless man, entered into eternal rest on Friday, May 5, 2023. John was born July 2, 1935, in Goshen, Indiana to the late Clarence and Wilma (Meisner) Hartman. He attended Concord Community Schools, and married Dorothy Sophia Wolber on October 17, 1953.  They celebrated 63 years of marriage before her passing in April of 2017.

John is survived by his devoted sons, Harold Lee (Ali) Hartman and Wayne Edward Hartman, both of Elkhart, Indiana; his loving daughters, Judy Kay (Gary) Culp of Warsaw and Nancy Jean Hartman of Elkhart, 14 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren with another due later this summer. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mildred (Tony) Rassi and young sister, Caroline, who died at age five.

Visitation will be held on Friday evening, May 19th from 4-7 pm at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola.  Pastor Jeremy LeVan will officiate the 11:00 am funeral service on Saturday, May 20th, 2023, at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola. A private interment will take place in Sugar Grove Cemetery.

Throughout his life, John was a man of unwavering faith. He shared the Lord's teachings as a Sunday School teacher at Sugar Grove Church, Meadowood Free Methodist Church, and Zion Missionary Church for many years. With an open heart and a gentle spirit, he taught Jr. Church and found great joy in sharing his love for the Lord with the children in his care. John also enjoyed singing many hymns of the faith and would take his entire family on singing excursions.

John’s first love was farming. With a strong work ethic instilled in him from a young age, John served in custodial services with the Concord School District.  He later used his skills as a welder, and then a welding foreman at Merhow Industries in Bristol, Indiana, using his creative talents and design in the horse trailer factory.  After pursuing electrical and aluminum welding training at the Elkhart Career Center, John served at Travel Equipment in Goshen until his well-deserved retirement at the age of 62.  Following his retirement, he continued to work part-time in the quality control division of Medtec Ambulance Corporation in Goshen, Indiana.

In his spare time, John enjoyed the simple pleasures that surrounded him. He loved farming, had a deep appreciation for John Deere Tractors, and was known for his resourcefulness and handiness around the home. Even when faced with the challenges of polio, John's unwavering determination and creative spirit allowed him to overcome obstacles and achieve his goals, never once complaining or losing sight of what truly mattered in life.

Well done, good and faithful servant. You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, and you have kept the faith. May you rest in eternal peace and joy in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

To light a virtual candle, share a story of John’s life, or leave a message of comfort for his family, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.