Frank Hartman, 80, Nappanee, died at 11:50 a.m., Monday, Dec. 26, 2016 at his residence after a short illness with pancreatic cancer.
Frank was born Dec. 11, 1936 in Nappanee to Ralph and Martha (Housour) Hartman. He graduated from Nappanee High School. On Dec. 21, 1957, he married Rosemary Baird. She preceded him in death on Dec. 26, 2004. Frank’s second marriage was to Janet Seeber on June 25, 2005 in Nappanee.
For seventeen years Frank was the manager for Miller Manufacturing Company. In 1972 Frank and his wife Rosemary bought the Sears Catalog Store in Nappanee. In 1975 they started the Hartman Furniture Store on South Main Street and was there until the year 2000.
From 2000-2004 Frank worked for Tri-County Ambulance Service. He also started working part-time in 1971 for what is now the Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, first as an ambulance attendant, and then as an employee of the funeral home. Where he was still working until the time of his illness. Frank was a dedicated member of the volunteer Nappanee Fire Department from 1964 to 1984. He served as chief of the Smokey Stovers from 1980-1984. He was also in the first group of firemen to be trained as EMT’s to better serve the Nappanee area. Frank was a chairman and one of the first organizers of what is now the Bulldog Reunion. As a teenager he was a member of the Nappanee Injector’s Club in the 1950’s and 60’s, leading to his love of 1957 Chevrolets. As an owner of a 57 Chevrolet for over 25 years, he was called upon to transport the big shots, fair queens, governors and mayors, Ronald McDonald, and others in area parades.
He is survived by his wife, Janet; daughter, Anne (Marion) Nisley, Nappanee; son, Dave (Deborah) Hartman, Spokane, Wash.; stepson, Eric (Rachael) Seeber, Warsaw; grandchildren: Trystan (Myriah Brown) Nisley , Jilayne Nisley, Taylor Nisley, Caitlin Hartman, Thomas Hartman; great grandson, Phineas Nisley; sisters: Sharon (Lowell) Chapman, Dewart Lake; Shirley Stahley, Nappanee; Carol (Joe) Schrock, Farmington, N.M.; Mim Warner, Chandler, Ariz.; brother, Willard “Bill” (Ruth) Hartman, Syracuse. He was preceded in death by his son, James Hartman who died of cancer in 1965; sisters, Lois Cornell, June McDonald, Norma Mitschelen; brothers, Lloyd M, Charles E, Ralph “Dick” and Robert Eugene Hartman.
Family and friends may call from 3-8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 29 at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee and for one hour prior to funeral services which will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30, also at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Bremen Cemetery. Rev. Janet McFall-Brown of First Mennonite Church, Nappanee will officiate, assisted by Rev. Frank Ramirez of Union Center Church of the Brethren.
Memorial contributions may be given to United Cancer Services of Elkhart County or the Nappanee Fire Department.