Francis Merle Hartman
May 06, 1924 - June 24, 2025
Obituary
MADISON - We grieve the passing of a courageous and strong man. Francis “Hass” Hartman, age 101, passed peacefully at his home in Madison, Wis., on June 24, 2025.
Francis was born on May 6, 1924, at his family home in Broadwater, Neb., middle child of Cecelia Moynahan Hartman and Alfred M. Hartman. He graduated from Broadwater High School, class of 1941. In December of 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, achieving rank of Pharmacist’s Mate 1st Class after being transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps. He saw brutal combat during World War II, serving in the Second and First Divisions in the South Pacific.
Francis married Billie Mae Randall of Bridgeport, Neb., on Sept. 24, 1950. He immediately adopted her daughter, Cherri Michelle Bonar, and was also the beloved father of Don Randall Hartman and Francine M. Hartman.
A printer by trade, Francis was an expert typesetter, working through decades of change in the printing industry (from handset type to Linotype to digital typesetting). He was an excellent pressman and camera operator. A kind and devoted father and grandfather, he lived in western Nebraska, Colorado Springs, Bend and Springfield, Ore., retiring in 2000 to be near family in Madison, Wis.
Francis was predeceased by his loving wife, Billie Mae Hartman; son, Don Hartman; eldest daughter, Cherri Hardt; parents, Cecelia and Alfred; brother, Eugene Hartman; and sister, Helen Westcott. He is survived by his daughter, Francine Hartman; son-in-law, Christopher DeMarco; grandchildren, Brent Johnson, Brian Johnson, Amy Sullivan, Cecilia DeMarco and Henry DeMarco; five great-grandchildren; and his beloved cousin, Gloria Hartman.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH AT THE ST. JAMES CHURCH, 1204 St. James Ct., Madison, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025, followed by military honors. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday. An additional memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, 116 W. Washington Ave., Madison, at a later date. The latter will be followed by a light lunch. Inurnment will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery, Broadwater, Neb.
Our deepest gratitude to Agrace HospiceCare, particularly Nicole Strahm, RN, for her compassionate care during his final months. Memorial contributions may be made in Francis’s name to birchcreek.org (music education).
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. A booklet with highlights of his life will be published in late summer of 2025; check the Gunderson website later this summer for link.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Photos
Memories