David Charles Hartman

Dave attended the local schools and graduated from Central High School in 1957.

On his 18th birthday, Dave began his career working for Bell Telephone. He started working in housekeeping with various jobs. He was promoted to night mail route driver. His next promotion was to construction as a cable splicer for one year. He was living to work instead of working to live. So he asked to be placed back as a night mail route driver which he enjoyed. He dedicated 35 years to the company before he retired in 1991.

As a young man, Dave enlisted in the National Guard. He proudly served as part of the 126th Infantry and was involved in the race riots of Detroit.

Dave was a man with many passions. He was a member of the Grand A’s, Model A club and lifetime member of the NRA. He was a huge history buff and especially enjoyed the early American history of our founding fathers and the Civil War. He was even a past member of the Civil War Round table.

Dave studied and immersed himself in the culture of the American Indians. He built his own teepee and would walk freshly plowed fields gathering up ancient arrowheads. Dave even found his own place with the Sioux tribe and was given the name Ta-Kola-Gu-Ota which means “His friends are many”. A name that could not have been more fitting for Dave. There was not a place Dave visited that he did not find a friend. It was said more than once, he could get a great conversation out of a wooden Indian.

He was a regular at Van’s Bakery where his favorite treat was a fresh cherry muffin, Bill’s Family Restaurant where he always ordered the Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes with brown sugar and Russ’ where it was Cheesy Broccoli soup or the Shrimp Dinner. He also kept his vehicles maintained at Mason Street Garage for over 50 years.

Being outdoors was where Dave felt most at peace. An avid hunter, pheasants were frequently on his radar. He also loved fishing, sometimes up to 3 or 4 days a week. He also studied birds watching them and learning their migration patterns.

A talented storyteller, of only true tales, Dave will be remembered for his kindness, love of the American culture old and new, and his love of nature.

Dave is survived by his almost son, Randon Figger; cousins: Elizabeth and Jimmy Voorheis, Marcus and Tamara Hartman, Frank and Kim Hartman; several nieces, nephews and other cousins; his friends: Faith Figger, Ryan and Jamie Figger, Rachelle and Josh Sova, Karl and Judy Doezema, Kurtis and Aimee Doezema, Joy Doezema, Ken and Kathy Doezema, Shirley Adema, Steve Adema, Theresa Merrow and Clifton Merrow, friends and pen pals, Richard and Pat Metcalfe from England, as well as countless other friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother James Hartman, beloved aunts Edith Pullen (Stoddard) and Ruth Gryska (Stoddard), his cousins Stephen and Mildred Hartman, Kenneth Pullen, and John E. Gryska; and friends Henry Adema and Norman Merrow.

Visitation will be held on Saturday March 8, 2025 from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. at Reyers North Valley Chapel where a funeral service with military honors will follow at 12:00 p.m. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Battlefield Trust, Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (for the preservation of George Washington’s Mount Vernon) or to Reyers North Valley Chapel to assist with funeral expenses.