Edward G. Hartman

Edward Franklin Gruber ("Ed") Hartman, 82, Muhlenberg Township, died August 29, 2007, at the home of his son, Edward B. Hartman, in Spring Township, where he had been receiving hospice care since August 14 due to leukemia.

At various times during his career, Ed was a beef, dairy, grain and swine farmer in Amity, Bern, Lower Heidelberg, Muhlenberg, Oley, Ontelaunee, Penn and Spring Townships. He promoted modern farming practices and farmland preservation throughout his career. He took special pleasure in raising beef. He fed feeder cattle until 1995, and had an interest in cattle until his death. He was a partner, with his brother, John W. Hartman, in Hartman Brothers for many years, and also was a shareholder for many years in Scattered Acres, Inc.

Born in Muhlenberg Township, he was the son of the late Edward R. and Annie L. (Gruber) Hartman.

He was predeceased by his wife, Josephine W. (Bond) Hartman, to whom he was married for fifty years, who died on August 4, 2005. He is survived by five sons, Edward B., husband of Diane N. (Rowles), of Spring Township, David F., husband of Beth L. (Lewis), of Penn Township, Christopher J., husband of Rebecca M. (Frobom), of Bern Township, Paul G., husband of Yvonne E. (Yerger), of Oley Township, and Timothy J., husband of Diana (Lloyd), of Fairfax, Virginia. There are also ten grandchildren.

He was also predeceased by his brother, John W. Hartman.

Hartman was the sixth generation of the Hartman family in membership at Alsace Lutheran Church, Hyde Park, where he was baptized, confirmed, and married.

He was President of the Board of the Berks County Farm Bureau from 1987 until 1998. He was a member of the Board from 1982 until 2006.

He was a member of the Berks County Farmland Preservation Board from 1995 until his death.

He was President of the Society for the Preservation of the Gruber Wagon Works from 1990 until his death. He was a member of the Board of the Society from 1983 until his death.

Services will be Wednesday, September 5, 2007, at 11:00 AM at Alsace Lutheran Church, Hyde Park. Walter R. Christ Funeral Home, Laureldale, is in charge of arrangements. Viewing will be Tuesday, September 4, 2007 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Adopt an Acre, Inc. to support conservation education and programs for farmland preservation, at P.O. Box 251, Wernersville, PA 19565. For online condolences, visit www.christfuneralhome.com