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Brian Hartwig Obituary
a brief and courageous fight with cancer. Born to James and Marlene Hartwig on Oct 9, 1966 he is survived by both parents. He also leaves a son, Devon 16. two daughters Sidney 15, Madison 13, two brothers Shawn and Christopher, and a vast fellowship of loving friends. Brian will be remembered for his kind and generous heart and his commitment to his family, friends and others in recovery. More than once he has been known to put his own plans aside to helps others. He was very active in AA, NA and CMA. He gave freely of his time and could often be found cooking for events within these organizations. Please join us in a celebration of his life at North Mountain Park, Cocopah Ramada, at 2pm on Sunday Nov 18, 2007
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Brian Hartwig
Sindey Hartwig
December 21, 2007
Daddy,
I miss you. I remember last year when mom came up to out of no where and said i was moving in with you just two days before your birthday. You told me that was one of the best presents that you could of gotten. You were the only one that really knew what i was in when i moved in. and you took me anyways. I know i wasnt the best daughter and we had are fights but we got along really well. you were my father and my best friend. no one knows just how much it hurt to lose you i lost a buddy a father and a teacher. believe it or not i listened to you all the time wheather you believe it or not. I remember when we went to a dance and i drug you to the dance floor to dance to "i loved her first" when i think of that song i think of you and i will never forget you and i always think of you. daddy you mean the world to me and i hope i see you soon. i love you with my whole heart and that will never change. thanks for being there for me and taking me in.
your little girl,
Squid(sidney)
Dana Helton
December 17, 2007
I was a sophomore at Shadow Mountain when you asked me to go steady. That romance lasted a whole 2 weeks, but the friendship continued for years. You, Buddy and I were the three musketeers, hanging out at DJ's, the mud bogs and the midnight movies. I twirled the flag in the marching band and you sat through many football game halftime shows for me.
We had some close calls like the night when Buddy nearly drove his truck off a cliff and we all had to climb out ever so carefully without sending the vehicle - or ourselves - over the edge. You were there when I broad-sided a minister's Oldsmobile my junior year. When I was 21, it was you by my side as I went to the emergency room on New Year's morning after being "kissed" by a pitbull at midnight. You were the only one who was willing to be straight with me about the damage to my face before I saw it for myself and you stayed with me through the whole ordeal.
Time passed and we lost touch. But I found it ever so appropriate that I would find you again at our old high school - at parent teacher conferences of all things - but this time we were the parents. We had come full circle and I am so grateful for these past two years, hanging out and having some really great talks. It was through you that I met my husband, Mike. When I look at our 2 year old daughter know she would not be here if not for that friendship all those years ago. And what a great time we had getting you tattooed with that ambitious Phoenix bird!
The first time I held your hand, I was 15 years old. The last time I held it was 25 years later at your bedside. Thanks for squeezing my hand and letting me know we were all gonna be ok. I am overwhelmingly thankful for what you brought to my life. You taught me about forgiveness, patience and being content.
It has been said that the greatest use of life is to spend it on something that will outlast it. You did that in such a big way. You are the absolute personification of I Corinthians 13...
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
That was you. And I am a better person because I knew you. I look forward to the day that I get to see you again.
Love from all of us,
Dana, Mike, Jesse & Olivia
Robert G Pruitt
December 4, 2007
What on earth do I say?...
I just keep stalking your house...
Maybe, just maybe you'll be out there working on your truck. Day after day, I drive by and nothing. WE GOTTA MOVE!!!
I can't believe you're really gone, I refuse to delete you from my address book or the speed dail on my phone. I just want to tell you how much you mean to me. You've touched my life, Touched My Whole Family's Lives!!!
YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
"Hey y'all! Watch This!!!"
Chris Rensink
December 3, 2007
Brian,
I feel so blessed that on this journey to a "new way of life" God's plan was for our paths to cross. Thank you for being the kindest person that I have ever met....never juding anyone, always willing to help anybody and a never-ending postive attitude. I will keep those words you always spoke, "It's all good", in my heart forever. I miss you more than I ever thought possible.
Love,
Chris
Yvonne Weithaus
December 3, 2007
I thank God for having had the opportunity to know Brian. He has a beatiful soul and I am sure that God will have him working on some very special cases. Brian your journey has not ended it has only begun. I look forward to seeing you again. (it won't be during my 4th step though)"inside joke". Thank you for sharing your life with us. And say hi to Bill and Bob for us.
Warm regards,
Yvonne C. Weithaus
Death does hide,
But not divide;
You are with Christ, and Christ with me;
In Christ united still are we.
Fred Ferguson
December 2, 2007
life is too short!!we sure lost a great friend in you .you will be missed
cindy grisamer
November 30, 2007
let the angels be with you!! Thank you Brian for being a part of my life I don't think there is anyone that showed the concern and love that that you did. You will be missed. Thanks for your friendship with all my love Cindy
Shauna Pruitt
November 30, 2007
Mr. Brian....
I still miss you as if it were just yesterday.
I cannot comprehend that the future does not hold you as a part of my life,
Robert's life and Ramses upcoming years.
I wasn't ready! We weren't ready!
My commitment to you is what you asked of me only days before you left...."Relax and Cut Him Some Slack!".
Thank you for being all that you were!
May Angels Be Whispering To You All The Love We Feel For You Now And Always!
madison hartwig
November 20, 2007
hello Daddy,
I really miss you and I know that you are in a better place.My promis to you is that I will make it to cernagiee hall. all the songs I play will come from my hart and will be for you.I know that you will be their for me all the way.You always have been
I love you more than you will ever know
Devon Hartwig
November 20, 2007
Hey old man, well I'm kind of lost for words right now, I really miss you and I wish we had spent more time together than we did. I'm always going to remember you though, like every weekend going to your house and passing the hot rod show at the parking lot, and both of us watch them as they go by. Listening to you sing as you worked on cars outside. Bike riding to Sonic because you didn't want to spend the money on gas. And always watching Nascar on T.V. You're a good man you made a lot of friends in your life, you made it almost 10 years sober and I just wanted to say I'm proud of you and I'm sure your friends are too. Can't wait to see you again.
Buddy Rader
November 20, 2007
Brian,
Hey little brother, I can't begin
to imagine what my life might have been like without you in it. I miss
you man! I thank God for bringing me back here to spend the last five
months of your earthly life with you. I thank God even more, that I
was able to witness you eccept his
son Jesus Christ as your savior. I know you are in a better place now,
and I'll see you when I get there.
And although I'm happy for all these other things, I never thought
that I could ever be so sad! I love
you and miss more than I knew I could. You will always be on my mind and in my heart.
With all my love,
Your brother,
Buddy Rader
Donna Reinhart
November 20, 2007
Well, Bri, now you're gone and I'm not entirely sure what to do without having you around. I will make this promise to you though...I will take care of our children (and future grandchildren) and make sure they turn out to be the best people they can be. You can be proud of them, Brian, because they ARE good people. They take after you a lot, and I'm glad for that. I felt we've become closer friends in the last 10 years then we ever were before, and I'm so grateful that we had that time. I'll never let the kids forget you and we'll keep your memory with us always.
Love,
Donna, Devon, Sidney and Madison
The Hill's
November 17, 2007
Brian,
Just came across your picture the other day.
Then I received an email "I have something sad to say"
My Heart stopped when I heard the news.
I was just remembering you.
All the crazy things we use to do.
Those great memories You've left behind in all the hearts
that's known and loved you.
Our Prayers go out to your family and friends.
Love,
Rick, Sherry, Randy Hill
Heather Dr. Benaderets medical assistant
November 14, 2007
I was able to meet Brian a few times with his mother. And then seeing him as a patient as well. Brian is a very friendly person. I will miss seeing him around. My thoughts and prayers are with all his family and friends.
Bill Smith
November 14, 2007
I haven't seen Brian since High School, so I don't know the person that he became. I would like to offer my condolences to his family.
Tina Pesho (Carel)
November 13, 2007
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Gus Rouse
November 12, 2007
What to say about Brian...I knew him in school and we had some good times. I didn't see him after school.My heart goes out to his wife and especially his children, because though he is no longer in pain, they have the rest of thier lives to feel it.Don't cry--LIVE,LOVE,and LAUGH, for that is what really matters.
Glen Creamer
November 12, 2007
Brian I Love and miss you very much, we have been through good times and not so good times we have been the best of friends for more than 9 years and there wasn't a time that I can remember that we didn't say I love you when we parted...! You have been closer to me than my own Blood and you showed me the true meaning of friendship and Unconditional Love. I know that you are one of my Guardian angels and God knows I need you all, So I will continue down the path that we have traveled for many years and I will think of you often as I Trudge the road too a Happy Destiny, May God Bless you and keep you till I see you again...! Your Loving Friend & Brother. Glen
Brad Flahiff
November 12, 2007
Until about a year ago, I hadn't spoken to Brian since high school when he was my friend Shawn's "wild and crazy older brother." It was great to hear that he was doing well, and I'm saddened to know that he won't get to enjoy that time with us here anymore. I take comfort, though, in knowing that he'll be much happier and at peace where he is now.
Meawhile, I will always remember Brian for the time he saved my rear end at school when I was caught in a very unfavorable activity by "Bob the Narc." I'm sure Brian remembers...thanks Bri!
My thoughts and prayers go out to Brian, his family, and all of his friends. I know that Brian will be missed.
Stacey Witte
November 12, 2007
Brian was like a big brother to me as I am sure he was to many people. I could not find the words to express myself, but I believe the following poem says everything:
A wonderful man, laid to rest, has left this world of pain.
Gone to rewards he garnered here, but not for his own gain.
A helping hand, a kindly smile, he gave and shared with all.
With love and care, he raised his flock from depths where they did fall.
Great pain and grief o'er fills the cup of those now left behind.
Remember not this empty shell, he lives on in your mind.
The lives he helped to save from a disease that haunts the earth
Are testimony to the life he lead from his rebirth.
Rejoice in his reward and all the lives he helped to save.
Think back on all the gifts, the words, the love; not of the grave!
Stay on the path and take those steps that he would have you tred.
With words and deeds remember all the souls and minds he fed.
With love we bid you fond farewell and through the tears of grief
We see you as you were, not as you are, ere came life's thief.
How is it that our hearts can be so full of love and pain?
God will, when all are gathered 'round, this mystery explain.
Brian, you are always in our thoughts, we love and miss you!
Heather Hill-Oliverson
November 12, 2007
Memories of times we shared with Brian back in high school are fun ones! A true blue friend and just a really genuine person, he'll be missed.
Wish we could've had more time to reminisce, but hope that Sidney and our daughter Liz will continue their friendship and create fun memories of their own.
His spirit will never die, we are all blessed, for Brian's got a new gig now, one he'll be very good at: Guardian Angel.
With all our love and prayers ~
The Oliverson Family
Heather Hill and Matt Oliverson, & Liz Oliverson
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