Darrel Bob Joseph Hartung

Darrel Joseph Hartung, 80, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 20, 2012, at 11:45 am, surrounded by his daughter, Terrie Hartung Lampi, his son, Kenny Hartung and his daughter in-law, Sandra King Hartung. He struggled for four months with Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Born July 22, 1931, in Durand Wisconsin, he and his identical twin brother, Duane, were the youngest of ten children and the sons of the late Joseph and Gertrude Hartung. Darrel enjoyed 55 years of marriage with the late Mary Ellen Kenny Hartung. He was her loving caretaker through cancer for ten years.

Darrel graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1954. He served in the Army at White Sands Proving Grounds, New Mexico, for two years then started a long, successful career with General Electric aerospace and defense divisions, retiring in 1991. He worked at the Kennedy Space Center from 1957 to 1971, before transferring to Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Massachusetts, and later to the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.

Returning to Florida in retirement was a dream come true. He enjoyed a new home with a view, golf, family and participating with the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community in Viera, Florida.

Survivors include brother, Duane James Hartung, sister-in-law, Patricia Hartung from Merritt Island, Florida; sister, Katherine Hartung Schlosser from Wisconsin; daughter and son-in-law, Terese (Terrie) Hartung Lampi and Steven Lampi from California; son and daughter-in-law, Kenny Joseph Hartung and Sandra King Hartung from Massachusetts; and son-in-law, Jim Foster, also from Massachusetts; grandchildren, Christopher, Evan and Ryan Lampi, Valerie Foster and Ryan and Kasey Hartung. Many nieces and nephews especially, Doris Hartung Neuzil from DeBary, Florida. His daughter, Mary Patricia Hartung Foster, passed away in 1996.

The family would like to thank Doctor Lucian Florescu for providing excellent care to Darrel and his family, "One day at a time." Their gratitude also extends to the nursing staff at the Health Center of Merritt Island, the Intensive Care Unit at Wuesthoff Hospital and the Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice Home. The doctor and nurses blend compassion with competence. They also would like to thank Sister Joan for her continuous, friendly visits throughout the four months of illness. They are forever grateful for the kindness to Darrel and his family.

A memorial service celebrating Darrel's life will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012, 10:00 a.m., at St. John the Evangelist Chapel in Viera.

Donations in his memory may be sent to the Catholic Relief Fund, c/o St. John the Evangelist Church, 5655 Stadium Pkwy., Viera, FL 32940.

Florida Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.