Alvin George Hartman

Mass of Christian Burial for Alvin George Hartman, age 97, of Muenster, was held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Sacred Heart Tiger football team dressed in jerseys for the service and the Muenster Volunteer Fire Department served as an Honor Guard. Sacred Heart Catholic School students sang the school song as a tribute to Alvin from the press box at the football field to close his celebration of life at the cemetery. Rosary and Vigil were held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Pallbearers were Nolan Hartman, Travis Sutton, Lance Hillis, Mark Tompkins, David Tompkins, and Jackie Wolf. Mr. Hartman passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Alvin Hartman-a man who lived with unwavering faith, radiant joy, and boundless love for the Lord, his family, and his Sacred Heart community. If Alvin Hartman could be summed up in one word, it would be the word he used most: 'Wonderful.' That's how Alvin lived. That's how he loved. That's how he served. To Alvin, every day was a wonderful gift from God-never bad, only good, better, or best. Alvin Hartman didn't just live life to the fullest-he lived a life full of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. St. Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians that some of the fruits of a life rooted in the Spirit are: Faithfulness, Charity (Love), Joy, Goodness, and Generosity. Anyone who spent even five minutes with Alvin knows that he bore every one of these fruits-abundantly. Alvin was born on January 29, 1928, to William 'Victor' and Margaret (Bayer) Hartman, the eldest of eight children. Alvin attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated in 1946. One early example of this was Alvin's First Holy Communion. On December 7, 1935-the night before this holy occasion-Alvin fell seriously ill. The next morning, his parents wrapped him in a blanket, drove him to the church, and carried him into the vestibule. When the time came, Alvin gathered his strength, walked up the aisle on his own, and received Jesus for the very first time on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Then, still wrapped in the blanket, he returned to the vestibule. The next day, Alvin was diagnosed with diphtheria and later developed pneumonia and pleurisy. His condition grew so dire that Dr. Payne came to their home and operated on Alvin on top of the kitchen table. Alvin was sick for a very long time and missed the remainder of his second-grade school year. At one point, 8-year-old Alvin had dropped to only 25 pounds. But Alvin remembered the joy-not just the suffering. He spoke of the nuns who visited him and played marbles on the sheets of his bed. They gave him a rosary, which to this day is framed near his dining room table. Day by day, Alvin just kept getting a little better. He was able to go to school for one day in May and stayed for about two hours. Despite missing so much instruction, Alvin was able to keep up with his classmates, so his teachers allowed him to return to school in the fall as a third grader. Naturally, he ended this story with, "Thank the Lord for that." The following summer, Alvin started instruction to become an altar boy. It all began one morning when he was walking into town by himself to attend Mass at 6:30 a.m. The pastor caught him outside and asked, "Have you ever served Mass before?" to which Alvin replied that he had not. Father then said, "I need a server, go get ready," and so began a lifetime of service at the altar of the Lord-from fourth grade until he was 90 years old. In his later years as an altar boy, Alvin was part of Father Ken's A-Team, the preferred group chosen to serve at all the funerals-alongside Sylvan Walterscheid and Butch Fisher. Alvin's faithfulness remained unwavering and continued to grow just as he did. He was a constant presence at daily Masses, novenas, rosaries, Adoration, Men's Holy Hour, Confession, and more. Over the years, Alvin served on the Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery Committee and various capital campaign committees for the church, high school, and convent. He volunteered at all the parish picnics and served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. He was even good buddies with Bishop Michael Olson, who sent his condolences and personally offered Mass for Alvin, stating what a good man he was and what a beautiful family he had. Alvin was a blessing to many and, in turn, received extraordinary blessings himself. Most notably, he received two papal blessings from the late Pope Francis. The first was a rosary personally blessed just for Alvin for his 97th birthday shortly before the Pope became ill and passed. The second was a papal blessing parchment on his 70th wedding anniversary. Alvin sought to be the best Catholic he could be. He began each morning by praying, "Dear Lord, may everything I do today be pleasing to You." And oh, how pleased the Lord must have been. In his mid-90s, he even asked Fr. Joe how often he should attend Confession. Father Joe replied with a smile, "Alvin, for you…think of it this way: every time you get your oil changed, that's when you need to come to Confession." Even in his final months, Alvin was evangelizing at the rest home. Before long, he had the group of men at his dining room table, also known as 'Alvin and the Chipmunks,' praying together before each meal. Alvin met the love of his life, Joanie Felderhoff, on her high school senior trip to Carlsbad, New Mexico, in 1950. Alvin had recently graduated high school and volunteered to drive the bus. On that trip, Joanie caught Alvin's eye and not long after, the opportunity arose during a summer outing for Alvin to give Joanie a ride home from "across the river," and he took it. He later recalled, "When I drove her home, I walked her to the door and the boys I was with drove off and left me at her parents' doorstep." When they came back to pick him up about 20 minutes later, Alvin just smiled and said, "I don't know whose idea that was, but thank you." They were together ever since. Alvin and Joanie married two years later on June 5, 1952. The new Sacred Heart Church was still under construction, so their Nuptial Mass was held in the old Parish Hall officiated by Joanie's uncle, Father Henry Felderhoff. The morning after the wedding told you everything you needed to know about their wonderful marriage of 70 years. The very first thing they did as husband and wife was wake up early to attend 6 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's in Gainesville-before heading south to Galveston for their honeymoon. They swam in the ocean, toured the Battleship Texas, and rode their very first escalator at Nordstrom. Their entire honeymoon-including gas, food, and lodging-cost a whopping $50. That simple beginning set the tone for the next 70 years: a marriage built on unconditional love and steadfast faith. Joanie and Alvin were married and made their forever home in the classic red-and-white house at 208 North Oak Street. They were blessed with three children: Monica, married to Coach Jon LeBrasseur; Bobby, married to the former Sharlene Pagel; and Kenny, married to the former Rhonda Endres. They also have seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Every Sunday was sacred in the Hartman home-Mass first, then family time: golfing in Nocona, fishing at the Long Walk fishing hole, and Joanie's famous fried chicken. Every meal began with prayer and ended with Alvin saying, "That was the best meal I ever ate." Monica recalled that was the case even if it was a leftover meal she had quickly thrown in a pot with a can of mushroom soup after helping at the dentist office after school. Bobby reminisced about Sundays when Alvin would gather the kids and say, "Let's go to the farm and dig cactus." The kids would protest, "But Dad, we're not supposed to work on Sunday!" Alvin would respond with a big grin, "This is not work, it's fun!" And that couldn't be more true for Alvin, as he loved spending time on the farm. Like a good shepherd, Alvin tended to sheep and cattle on his land west of town for nearly 50 years, always taking Joanie or his kids along for the ride. The Hartman grandkids especially loved going to the farm with Papa Alvin. They would all jump in the back of his 1959 blue Chevrolet truck, also known as the 'Bumpity Bump' and head to Grandpa's farm to feed the sheep, ride on the old red tractor, play on the hay bales, and zoom down Dushman Hill. Often, they would stop to pick up cans alongside the road to recycle for Sacred Heart School. During the annual Hartman Campout, a trip to Uncle Alvin's farm was a favorite pastime, especially for all the cousins coming in from the city. Later in life, Alvin and Joanie made a daily trip to the farm after having breakfast at Kountry Korner. Every morning as they drove up the hill past the store, Alvin would take Joanie's hand and say, "Have I told you that I love you today?"-followed by a kiss on her hand. After Joanie passed in 2023, Alvin often shared that story. He missed her dearly and visited her at the cemetery every single day. While their lives were deeply rooted in the Sacred Heart community, Alvin and Joanie also loved to travel-visiting all 50 states and many countries abroad-making fond memories and friends wherever they went. Before each trip, they faithfully prayed a rosary for safe travels. Alvin, who never met a stranger, brought his warmth and kindness everywhere he went. Among the most distinguished moments of his travels was when Congressman Ralph Hall personally escorted Alvin to the White House and entrusted him with the honor of placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Alvin had the biggest heart for Sacred Heart. As his nephew Mark Tompkins put it, "This man was devoted to Sacred Heart-but more importantly, he was devoted to THE Sacred Heart of Jesus. That was the foundation of his life. That is what was at the foundation of his overwhelming love and happiness." Alvin had the most joyful servant's heart. Once he got involved in something, he stayed involved and gave it his all. One of his greatest dedications in life was to Sacred Heart Catholic School. Along with being an avid Tiger fan and generous supporter, he put in decades of hard work at the school. Alvin drove the bus for 27 years and proudly recorded stats on the sidelines for the Sacred Heart Tiger football team for 71 years, beginning in 1951. Through the decades, his statistics were published in the Muenster Enterprise, Gainesville Daily Register, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and more. His prized possession was the Sacred Heart Tiger stat book he created, a compilation of complete stats from every game of every season the team had ever played. He personally delivered customized stat books to each player's home after every season. Alvin also helped get the Sacred Heart football program started and, as co-captain, took the field as a running back for the first-ever Sacred Heart Tiger football game in 1945. Coached by Father John Walbe, O.S.B., Alvin helped secure uniforms, lay out the football field, install goalposts, and later helped build the fence and bleachers. After graduating, Alvin still played football for the Tigers. Alvin loved telling the story of the school bus picking him up from the Enterprise for a Thackerville game, where he took the field with the Tigers dressed only in blue jeans and a t-shirt. Alvin's love of football carried down the bloodline, as his brother Gene was a quarterback, his sons Bobby and Kenny were quarterbacks, his grandson Nolan was a quarterback-and now his great-grandson Asher takes the field as a quarterback on Friday nights with younger great-grandsons in training. Alvin showed up to every Tiger and Tigerette sporting event with Joanie, and proudly led his legendary chant: "Who ya rootin' for, S-H-S! Go get 'em, Red!" In a 2023 issue of Texas Highways magazine, Alvin was quoted, "I attended every Tigers game, wherever they went. I walked the sideline. At Frisco about seven or eight years ago, the quarterback was going to pass and his receivers were covered. So he decided to run out of bounds. And about the time that he got to the sideline, two of their players hit him-and all three hit me and broke my leg. I was in the hospital for a good while. I was the oldest athlete-patient they ever gave therapy to!" Off the sidelines, Alvin was an officer of the Sacred Heart Alumni Association, a member of the Sacred Heart School Board, a trustee for the Sacred Heart Trust Fund, and helped with countless school maintenance projects. He was a member of the Fort Worth Diocesan School Board and chosen by Sacred Heart as the 2007 Catholic School Honoree, receiving an Outstanding Service Award at the Diocesan Catholic School Banquet that year. Alvin said what motivated his lifelong commitment to Sacred Heart was his strong belief in Catholic education and love for the school. Alvin wore his class ring every day because he was so proud to be a Sacred Heart alum. He even passed away with it on-a true Tiger to the end. Alvin is Mr. Sacred Heart. Or, as beloved friend and sports broadcaster Tom Carson coined him many years ago, he is Alvin 'Sacred' Hartman. Outside of Tiger Stadium, Alvin's zeal for sports continued to shine. He played men's fast-pitch softball from age 20 to 40, a highly competitive sport in the 1950s. He suited up for several local league teams, including the Bezner Chicks and the B-29 Bombers. Alvin even made headlines in the Gainesville paper for his pitching abilities. In an article titled 'Hartman's Hurling Knots Playoff Set', Bill King wrote, 'Iron-armed Alvin Hartman continued his seemingly tireless and consistent hurling.' When he eventually stopped playing softball, his love for the game never ended-he just shifted to coaching little league baseball, where his sons Bobby and Kenny were playing. Alvin also enjoyed handball, volleyball, basketball, and tennis-noting that they often had to play on a gravel court. Aside from helping on the family farm as a child, Alvin earned his first job at the age of 14. One day, his mother went to the beauty shop, and the hairdresser asked, "Do you know someone who needs a job and could spade my garden?" Alvin's mother replied, "I believe my son will do it." She came home and told Alvin to go over, advising, "Do a good job. Whatever she pays you, take it and say thank you." Alvin worked in the garden for three hours, received 45 cents, and said "thank you." That marked the beginning of his lifelong commitment to hard work and gratitude. After graduating high school, Alvin began his career at the Muenster Enterprise on September 23, 1946. He retired from the Enterprise three times-punching in 78 years of service on his final time sheet. He held nearly every position in the building-from sportswriter and composition man to pressman, editor, and ad salesperson. He became the longest-working journalist in Cooke County history and was often called the Best Salesman in the County. Son-in-law Coach Jon LeBrasseur recalls his first impression of Alvin: "He rolled up to the school in his '59 Chevy, suit and tie on, and made a beeline straight to the football field. I thought, this man means business!" Alvin ran the Enterprise's print shop using the company's old Heidelberg press. The only person ever to operate it, Alvin maintained it with the original toolkit provided by the manufacturer in the early 1950s. For Alvin, work was a joy-not a task. He once told a reporter who came down from Germany to interview him on Easter Sunday 2023, "Most people look forward to Friday, but I always look forward to Monday because I just love going to work." Behind all of Alvin's awards is a story of steadfast commitment to goodness and service to others. In 1999, he was honored at the KGAF-NCTC Holiday Classic basketball tournament with the Bill King Sportsmanship Award. In 2024, the Texas Press Association recognized him with the Golden 50 Award for over fifty years of service to journalism, though Alvin had worked far longer. Alvin was also named Muenster Jaycee Man of the Year, receiving the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding community service. He served as a Muenster Volunteer Firefighter for 30 years, and held the title of fire chief for part of that time. He also worked at the Kountry Korner for 40 years and was a Cub Scoutmaster when his boys were young. From the beginning to end, Alvin lived out 1 Corinthians 13 to the letter: "Love is patient, love is kind… it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." Alvin's heart was overflowing with love. He was love in action-his love for Joanie, his love for family and friends; his love for farming and animals; his love for community and work; his love for sports; his love for Sacred Heart; and above all, his love for the Lord. He left behind a legacy of love that we can never forget, but can only strive to follow. Aspire to be like Alvin, as Alvin aspired to be like Jesus Christ. A recent tribute by Cooke County SportsTalk noted that Alvin was 'for' things-for all good things-and that he kept it up for 97 years. Alvin was the definition of steadfast. A few years ago, Alvin was asked how he kept going. He smiled and said, "You just keep moving." That was his secret. He moved through life enthusiastically with the fruits of the Holy Spirit: Faithfulness, Charity (Love), Joy, Goodness, and Generosity. And now, our dear Alvin has moved-from this world to the next, from the pews of Sacred Heart Church and the press box at Tiger Stadium to the glory of the Lord's Heavenly Banquet. "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his wonderful soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace." And as Alvin would often say out loud and proud, "Amen." Alvin is survived by; daughter: Monica and husband Jon LeBrasseur; sons: Bobby and wife Sharlene Hartman, and Kenny and wife Rhonda Hartman; grandchildren: Kristin LeBrasseur, Shannon Hartman, Dainah Hartman, Chris Pagel, Holly and husband Lance Hillis, Courtney and husband Travis Sutton, and Nolan Hartman; great-grandchildren: Parker, Ava, Asher, and Aiden Hillis, Walker, Witten, and Blakely Sutton, Indigo and Willow Dyer, and Cody Moster; sisters: Pat Yosten, Georgia Wolf, Edna Tompkins; and brother: Gene Hartman. Alvin was preceded in death by the love of his life Joanie (March 8, 2023); his parents: Victor and Margaret Hartman; sisters: Kathryn Gremminger, Della Schmitt; and brother Willard Hartman. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Sacred Heart Catholic School or Sacred Heart Trust Fund.