Donald Hartman

Hard working, patient and always willing to lend a hand or ear to anyone that needed it. Donald Jack Hartman was all of that and more. He spent much of his time on the farm fixing anything in sight. Don was well liked by everyone in the community as well as loved and respected by his family.

Casablanca was released in the theaters, 33,000 people were employed at the Pentagon and the first color episode of the Looney Tunes aired during this era. Don was born on February 17, 1943 to Jack E. and M. Doreen (Stowell) Hartman in Vicksburg, Michigan. Don was always a thinker and a fixer; he spent hours on the family farm as a child working as only a carefree farm boy could. But there was always time to get in a little mischievous fun with his brothers and neighbors.

In the late 1950’s Don met the love of his life: Shirley Falkenburg. Don and Shirley met through a mutual friend at Swartz’s Drive in. Though they went to different schools Don and Shirley dated for a couple of years until they were married at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church on February 24, 1962. After getting married they lived in a small house in Vicksburg that they quickly turned into a loving home for their family. After honeymooning in Kentucky Don and Shirley had their first child, Larry, in the latter part of the year. They had both decided soon after Larry was born that parenthood was something they enjoyed tremendously. Don and Shirley then had another addition to their family, their second child Julie.

When Don’s parents retired to Walhalla, Michigan Don and his family moved into his childhood home to continue the upkeep of the farm. After taking over the family farm Don was employed at General Motors of Kalamazoo. Working as a tool and die maker for GM Don always had his workday full. When GM closed their doors Don had decided it was time for him to retire. He soon found out that retirement wasn’t his bag of apples. Don had worked so long and for so many years that after he retired he got a job as a tool and die maker with Checker Motors. When Don’s son-in-law, Matt, became interested in farming Don gratiously handed over the stewardship to him offering only a helping hand and advise when asked. They worked on the farm together as much as possible. Don worked at Checker Motors until his death.

Everyday was an adventure for Don; he worked and farmed and then would work some more. Even though he seemed to always be working Don always found time for his family. He had the softest heart and the compassion of a teddy bear. Don’s family will always remember how he loved his wife, children and especially his grandchildren. Don also had the ability to fix anything. He would tinker with, fabricate and restore anything. Don spent much of his time remodeling the house, tooling around on his pontoon, and entertaining himself with daily farm activities.

Don was a very patient man. He provided for his family in every way possible. He enjoyed helping others; it didn’t matter if you were his smallest grandchild or a stranger 500 miles from home he would do anything in his power to help whether it be get you something off from a tall shelf or tow your vehicle out of a ditch in the heart of winter. Don was always up for a game of Cribbage. Cribbage was a tradition of his family and he patiently taught his grandchildren the elements of the game. Some would say that farming was Don’s favorite hobby. That might explain why the Ford Tractor that he bought from Shirley’s grandfather was one of his most prized possessions. Don also prided himself on his wonderful pontoon and his 110-acre farm.

Don died on April 17, 2003. He is survived by his wife: Shirley; mother Doreen; children: Larry Hartman of Parchment, Michigan, Julie and her husband Matthew Skrzypek of Vicksburg, Michigan; 2 brothers: Robert and his wife Norma Hartman of Vicksburg and David and his wife Marie Hartman of Adrian, Michigan; 4 grandchildren: Jager Hartman, Macy, Jena and Riley Skrzypek and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 pm on Monday April 21, 2003 at the Schoolcraft Cemetery. Arrangements for Don were made by Rupert, Durham, Marshall and Gren Funeral Home, Vicksburg Chapel. To read Don’s life story, share a memory, make a donation to the charity of your choice or order flowers, please visit his personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com