James Edward Hartman passed away on November 21, 2021 surrounded by family at his home. He was born May 24, 1924 to Edward and Nora "Stamm" Hartman. He was the youngest of four children. Jim graduated from Mt. Carroll High School in 1942. He was employed at the Savanna Depot before he enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1943. After basic training in Florida and schooling in Mississippi and Kansas, Jim was sent overseas in 1944. He served as a flight engineer on a B-24 and flew 52 times over Mount Everest during his service in the Chinese Burma India Theater during WWII. Jim received several awards and medals for his service. He returned home from the war in 1946. Upon his return home, Jim went back to work at the Depot. One year later, Jim went to work for Interstate Power Company as a lineman retiring from there in 1986. Jim and his sons Kerry and Kim worked together for several summers. Even after retirement, Jim kept busy helping family and friends with home improvement projects. His grandchildren tell stories of how "Deed" could out work them well into his 80's.

Jim married Patricia "Patty" Neuschwanger on February 3, 1949. To this union seven children were born Kim, Kerry, Kris, Kass, Kit, Kay and Kurt. Jim's grandfather, Ben Hartman, started the First Lutheran Church (ELC) in Mt. Carroll. Jim was deeply involved in his children's and community's activities throughout his life. Jim was a member of the Mt. Carroll American Legion, Mt. Carroll Methodist Church, Carroll County Historical Society, including the Miles and Oakville Museums. He served as a Boy Scout Master for over 20 years for Troop 251. Jim also helped build the Boy Scout cabin at Indian Trail Road and spent many weekends there camping out with the Scouts. Jim served as a lay leader with the Mt Carroll Methodist Church for over 50 years. He also served as a groundskeeper for the Mt. Carroll baseball diamond. He also donated lots of time to civic organizations throughout the years in Mt. Carroll. Jim and Percy Vesperman were instrumental in placing the lighted star on Cemetery Hill by the mausoleum that is still lit to this day.

Jim's quiet yet strong presence will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community members. Jim appreciated nature. He passed on his passion of caring for nature to his family. He was an avid tree planter who planted hundreds of trees. Jim loved to fish. He fished up and down the Mississippi and Plum Rivers and in Canada during trips with his sons and grandsons. Jim was the greatest morrell mushroom finder. He passed this skill on to his children and grandchildren, but he still remained the BEST at finding the morrells. Later in life, Jim discovered a love of music and passed it on to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

In addition to loving nature, Jim was an avid sports follower, Jim lived his 97 years as a devout Cubs fan enjoying many trips to Wrigley Field with friends and family. Jim was thrilled when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016, watching the winning game with his grandsons and great grandsons. Jim attended many of his grandchildren's sporting events around the area. He also loved to watch the Chicago Bears play.

Jim was a devout family man. His greatest treasures were his loved ones. He and Patty were married for 72 years. Patty introduced herself to Jim by putting her arm through his at Isenhart's Confectionary and the rest was history. Jim and Patty loved to dance; they enjoyed doing so throughout their marriage. He was tremendously proud of all his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and all their accomplishments. Jim always had a positive message or a story with a lesson for each family member. We will miss his incredible knowledge and his kindness most of all.

Jim is survived by his wife, Patty, his children Kim (Vicki) Hartman, Kerry (Jen) Hartman, Kris Plattenburger, Kass (David) Boyd, Kit (Tim) Volz, Kay Hartman her partner Joe (Ferguson), twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren, as well as numerous family members and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Ben and Nora, brothers Al and Joe and sister, Sally, and son, Kurt.