Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
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John Walter Hartman, 87, of Berlin Heights, Ohio passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of Friday, December 8, 2023 with his three daughters by his side.
The fourth child in a family of five, John was born on November 7, 1936 in Sandusky, Ohio to Walter August and Ethelberta (French) Hartman.
He graduated from Berlin Local High School in the Class of 1954. He was a lifelong resident of Berlin Township, having lived in one of two homes a half mile apart for the entirety of his 87 years. He worked alongside his father on Meadow Brook Farm, taking over the operation when Walter passed on. A chance encounter while selling eggs led him to meet his wife of 62 years, Kay Louise (Kugel) Hartman. They wed June 17, 1960. They farmed together, primarily raising corn, soybeans, wheat, cattle, and daughters. In later years, they added asparagus to the mix and developed many friendships as loyal customers returned each Spring for the seasonal delicacy. Meadow Brook Farm was honored with a Century Farm designation from the State of Ohio in 2003.
While his true passion was farming, John worked in a variety of roles, including driving school bus, honing his maintenance skills at the former Glidden plant in Huron, Ohio, and finally retiring from the Erie County Water Department to dedicate his sole focus to the farm. In addition to his work on the farm, John was a voice for agriculture through his memberships in Farm Bureau, Top Farmers of Ohio, the Ohio Corn Growers and Soybean Associations, and the local antique tractor club.
John also served his community on the Berlin Heights Basket Festival committee. He was often found guiding young contestants through the pedal tractor pull or participating in the festival parades with his restored tractors. His role in the community was lauded when he was selected Citizen of the Year in 2017. The Hartman family's deeper roots within the community led him to be an active member of the Berlin Heights Historical Society. Finally, one constant throughout his lifetime was his membership in the First Congregational United Church of Christ where he served in all aspects of lay leadership and belted out the bass parts of the classic hymns with gusto.
John never knew a stranger; he could strike up a conversation with anyone he met. He was a strong-minded man, a loyal friend, and a much-loved father and grandfather. He modeled courage in the face of adversity when he was diagnosed with a life changing illness in 2015, exceeding expectations along the way. He will be remembered for his love of red tractors, local history, and his family.
John was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his three sisters, Ethel Lois (Hartman) Smith, Ann (Hartman) Champion, and Helen (Hartman) Fair. He is survived by his brother, David Hartman (Linda) of Warner, NH, and his three daughters - Sandra Hacker (Michael) of Markle, IN, Darcy Hartman of Columbus, OH, and Wendy Hartman of Columbus, OH; and 5 grandchildren -Cassandra (Hacker) Perkey (Tim) of Georgetown, KY, Walter Hacker of Columbus, OH, Kelton Hartman Vaeth of Portland, OR, Faye Hartman Vaeth of Columbus, OH, and Connor Harper, of Columbus, OH. His first great grandchild, Ryan Perkey was born in 2022.
Visitation will take place on Friday, December 15, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Toft Funeral Home, Hinman Chapel, 38 South Street, Berlin Heights, OH 44814. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 5 East Main Street, Berlin Heights, OH 44814. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Berlin Heights.
Preferred memorial contributions may be made in John's honor to the Berlin Heights Basket Festival Committee or the Berlin Heights Community Center, both sent in care of Toft Funeral Home, Hinman Chapel, 38 South Street, Berlin Hts., OH 44814.
Toft Funeral Home, Hinman Chapel, Berlin Heights, is handling arrangements. Condolences may be shared online at toftfuneralhome.com.
