John Vernal Hartman, 89
WESTOVER - John Vernal Hartman passed away peacefully on Monday, September 5, 2022 at Alice Byrd Tawes Nursing Home in Crisfield.
Johnny was born May 25, 1933 in Westover, Maryland and was the son of the late Vernal John Hartman and Martha (Glick) Hartman. After graduating from Marion High School in 1951 Johnny joined his father on their dairy farm in Westover. After "retiring" from farming he spent several years working at Holly Grove Christjan School as their well-loved custodian until 2015. Planning to retire at the end of that year, he unfortunately suffered a stroke and had to finish his time there a couple months early. Johnny was a lifetime member of Greenhill Church of the Brethren in Westover, where he served as deacon for many years. He was active with the church camp, Camp Mardela in Denton, Maryland for many years as well. Johnny was always serving his community and was a member of the Rehobeth Ruritan Club, Somerset County Fair Board, Somerset County Farm Bureau, Gideon's International, and Flying Farmers Association. He decided to get his pilot's license after a small plane made an emergency landing in a field on the farm one evening.
Johnny went on to have an airstrip and his own plane, and delighted in flying his family and friends whenever he could. He was a light to so many and touched many lives.
Johnny is survived by his wife of 67 years, Adele (Beahm) Hartman; his children, Teresa Leichty (Brent), Philip Hartman (Lisa), Jeanne Willing (Eldon), Lori Goldsborough (Johnny), Joe Hartman (Lisa), and Joy Hale. He left behind 24 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. He is survived by two sisters, Vivian Bozman and Bea Hartman; a brother, Eugene and his wife Barbara; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Christine Lednum.
Special thanks to the nurses and staff at Alice B. Tawes Nursing Horne for the loving care they provided.
A memorial service is planned for Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 3:00 pm at Holly Grove Mennonite Church in Westover. Visitation will take place Saturday, September 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Greenhill Church of the Brethren in Westover.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 511, Princess Anne, MD 21853.