RALPH LEE HARTMAN

Ralph Lee Hartman, age 91, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 7:22 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at Miller's Merry Manor Inc., Columbia City. Born on March 21, 1918 in Columbia Township, Whitley County, IN, he was the son of Olin Elmer and Rose Beth (Smith) Hartman.A lifetime Whitley County resident, he attended the Nolt and Cox Schools in Whitley County. On December 21, 1974 he married Patricia Ann (Reimer) Cunning at Eberhard Lutheran Church. A farmer as a young man, he was a former employee of Woolen Mills, Columbia City, and Coil Engineering, Roanoke, IN. In 1986, he retired from Franks Greenhouse, Columbia City, with 28 years of service. A member of Eberhard Lutheran Church, his hobbies included fishing, cats, dogs and gardening.Survivors include his wife, Patricia Ann Hartman of Columbia City; daughter, Teresa Ann Utter of Columbia City; step- daughters, Debra Kay (James) Price of Columbia City, Cynthia Ann (Brent) Harris of Wolf Lake, Christine Marie (Mark) Brown of Albion, Lori Lynn Cunning of Columbia City, Brenda Lea (Robert) Blocker of Larwill, Stephanie Anne (Lee) Edsall of Columbia City, and Jody Sue (Dan) Clay of Columbia City,IN; 4 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchidren; 7 great- great-grandchildren; 16 step-grandchildren; 21 step-great- grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Amanda Louise Losure, sisters, Vera Price, Daisy Miller and Edna White, brothers, Herbert, Olin Paul Hartman and great-granddaughter, Kendra Utter.Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2009 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2009 at the funeral home with Pastor Alice Smith of Eberhard Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will follow at Nolt Cemetery, Columbia City, IN. Memorials may be given in memory of Mr. Hartman to the Whitley County Humane Shelter. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.