R. Joe Hartman

R. Joe Hartman, 95, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 7, 2025 in his Topton, PA, residence. He had lived in Kutztown, PA from June, 1961 until August, 2011, when he moved to the Lutheran Home at Topton. Joe was the widower of Shirley B. (Smith) Hartman, who died on April 17, 2025. He was born June 25, 1930, in Rimersburg, PA, where he spent the first fourteen years of his life and was the son of the late Russell and Grace (Christman) Hartman.

Joe moved to State College, PA in 1944, graduated from State College High School in 1948 and Penn State University in 1952, receiving a degree in Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology. While at Penn State, Joe was the manager of the Penn State rifle team, a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity, and several other professional and social organizations. Following his graduation, Joe was employed by Central Soya Co., Inc., Fort Wayne, IN, as a Sales Manager for their Master Mix Feed Division for distribution in Central and Eastern PA and New Jersey for twenty-three years. He resigned his position with Central Soya in 1975 and worked until his retirement in 1995 as a Partner and Vice President of Sales with Ames-Burns Co., Jamestown, NY. He purchased agricultural commodities in nine states and Canada and arranged truck and rail transportation for those goods to his customers, feed manufacturers, and farms in Pennsylvania.

Joe became a member of Masonic Lodge F.&A.M. No.22, Sunbury, PA in 1956, and the Kutztown Lions Club in 1963. He served as an elder for over fifty-five years at St. Paul's U.C.C. Church in Kutztown, PA, and also served on the Finance Committee and as Co-Chairman of the Building Committee to replace part of the church with a new addition. He was also on the Kutztown Zoning Hearing Board for three years, serving as President for one year. Joe and Shirley delivered Meals on Wheels for over 20 years in the Kutztown and Fleetwood areas. In his spare time, Joe enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting, yard and garden work, photography and traveling in the U.S., Europe, and other areas of the world.

Joe married his college sweetheart, Shirley Smith on June 19, 1953, in Tionesta, PA, her hometown. They would have celebrated their 72nd anniversary on June 19th.

Joe is survived by his twin sons, Gary J. Hartman, and wife Karen, of Tucson, AZ, and R. Gregg Hartman, Kutztown; grandson, Christopher Hartman, and wife Chelsea, of Lancaster; and two great-granddaughters, Brynlee and Cora. In addition to his wife and parents; Joe was predeceased by his sisters Patty, Charlotte and Jeanne, and brothers, Jim and Jack.

Funeral services for Joe will be held privately at his request. Burial will be held at a later date in McEwensville Presbyterian Cemetery, Northumberland County.

Contributions can be made in Joe's memory to St. Paul's UCC, 47 S. Whiteoak Street, Kutztown, PA 19530. Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Kutztown, PA is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting Joe's obituary tribute page at www.Ludwickfh.com.