John Hartman

John Hartman Feb. 15, 1920 - March 12, 2014 SOUTH BEND - A popular South Side barber for 60 years, a Navy veteran and an excellent musician, John Thomas Hartman, 94, passed from this life on March 12 at the Caring Junction home, South Bend. John was born in Walkerton, IN, on Feb. 15, 1920, to a musician father, Earl Van Hartman, and mother, Dorothy (Dare) Hartman (later Andrews), into a family whose roots in America stretch back before the Revolutionary War. John showed musical talent early, practicing the harmonica while riding his bicycle around the city as a youth. He graduated from the barber academy in the late 1930s, and interrupted his vocational pursuit to join the U.S. Navy in 1940. After graduating from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Brooklyn, a light cruiser upon which he saw action in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of World War II. As Signalman 2nd Class, John's duty often put him in the midst of action communicating semaphore (flag) messages above deck. Before the war, he met and fell in love with another South Bend native, Katherine Kovacevich, who herself joined the Navy and served as a WAVE (Women in Auxiliary Volunteer Emergency service) in Washington, D.C. John and Katherine were married at the Navy Chapel in New York City on New Year's Eve, 1944-45. The family's Navy tradition continues: His son, John L. Hartman, and son-in-law, Bill Goodrich, both served, and his grandson, AJ Knight, is in active service. Upon honorable discharge after six years, John worked as a barber on Indiana Avenue and Prairie Avenue before opening John's Barber Shop on south Michigan Street in the early 1960s, where he continued to serve customers for 50 years. Always kind and cheerful, John constantly brightened the lives of everyone who knew him and was dearly loved by his family, friends and all the customers, young and old, who left his shop with a fresh haircut and a light heart. A humble optimist who enjoyed poking fun at himself and laughing philosophically at life's foibles, he held to a steadfast belief in the goodness of humanity. Throughout his life John never lost faith in any individual or in the younger generations, many of whom he quietly helped succeed. John was an accomplished, lifelong musician who daily enjoyed playing a variety of instruments, including the accordion and organ. He always carried a harmonica, and his grandchildren remember his playing tunes during their childhood. He was an excellent dancer and swimmer and taught his children to do both. He was also an avid horseshoe player and bowler with enough trophies that he mischievously installed one of them as a hood ornament on his Gremlin, much to the chagrin of his then-teenaged children. John was a member of the former Sacred Heart Methodist Church and a founding member of the Immanuel United Methodist Church on W. Ewing Ave., where he served on boards and as an usher. He also belonged to the Indiana Avenue Businessmen's Association, the South Bend Barber and Beauty Association, American Legion Post 50, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was a longtime member and officer of the former DFV German Club at Prairie and Indiana Avenues. Surviving John are his wife, Katherine, who still resides at Caring Junction; their children, Ellen K. Mathia, Violet (Bill) R. Goodrich and Linda M. (Mike) Robinson of Indianapolis, and John L. Hartman of South Bend; seven grandchildren, Dawn Knight of Zionsville, IN, Wendy Mathia of Millersville, MD, Michelle Haas of Springdale, UT, Jeremy Goodrich of Bloomington, IN, Jill Mathia of South Bend, Kirsten Webster of Vail, CO, and Brett Goodrich of Indianapolis; and eight great-grandchildren. Two great-grandchildren, Noah and Stella, a sister, Virginia Crawford, half brother, Lyle Hartman, and niece, Judith Frakes, preceded him in death. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. this Saturday at the Zahoran Funeral Home, 1826 S. Kemble Ave., South Bend, followed by services at 1 p.m. at Immanuel United Methodist Church, South Bend, and burial at Southlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel United Methodist Church, 1211 W. Ewing Ave., South Bend, IN 46613. John's family wants to thank Deb and Sharon at Grace Hospice and the entire Caring Junction staff. To leave an online condolence, please visit our website at www.zahoran.com, or our facebook page, Zahoran Funeral Home.