Dwane Edward Hartman (94) of Stewardson

Dwane Edward Hartman, 94, of Stewardson, IL, passed away at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, January 8, 2024 at his home.

Dwane was born on January 18, 1929 at the home farm, the son of Lydia Louise (Rincker) and Edward John Fred Hartman. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Strasburg, IL, where he was a lifetime member. Dwane graduated from Stewardson High School in the Class of 1947. After high school, he worked at Hays Freight in Mattoon, IL, working in the tabulating office with IBM Machines. On January 15, 1951, he was drafted and along with forty Shelby County men, was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, to receive basic training. Along with six other men, he was sent to Fort Bliss, TX, for advanced basic training. He headed to Korea from Seattle, WA. After a short furlough, they headed for Korea on the Marine Adder, which was hit by a typhoon. The ship picked up more men in Japan and they headed for Korea and arrived in June of 1951. About 100 men were chosen for the 68th AAA Gun Battalion. He was assigned to S-2 and 3 as a clerk typist and was in that position for about a year. He was then assigned as S-2 Section Chief. He was in Korea during a blackout when Eisenhower flew into Kimpo Air Base in a Constellation with all its lights on. Dwane left Korea December 1, 1952. They crossed the international dateline and had two Christmas days, but only one meal. They arrived in Seattle on New Year’s Day and then were sent by train to Camp Carson, CO. He was released from the Army January 15, 1953. Arriving home, he began farming, but due to a drought in 1954, he had to find a job and worked at the Norge plant in Effingham for a year. He took three years of vocational agriculture and after working at Garwood in Mattoon, he went back to farming with his brother. In 1958, he married Beatrice (Miller) Reed and they bought a farm in Stewardson, IL, and lived on the farm when she passed in 1978. Dwane farmed and raised hogs until a tornado took down his barns. He met Maude Eleanor Daily, who was a district librarian in Windsor, IL, and they married on February 6, 1981. In 1989, he was elected to the Shelby County Farm Bureau Board and after serving as vice-president for four years, he was elected president and served in that capacity for nine years. Dwane was a lifetime member of the Wilbur Braughton American Legion Post #611 and served as commander for several years. Dwane was a charter member of the Stewardson Veterans Memorial Committee and was commander of the Wilbur Braughton Post when the memorial was dedicated. He was also a lifetime member of VFW Post #4829 in Shelbyville, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Ervin Lloyd Hartman and Harold Dwane Hartman (Rhea Miller), and sister, Vera Marie (Roy) Schmitt.

Dwane is survived by his wife; nieces, Doris (August) Supan, Irene (Kenneth) Pechman, Ann (Mark) Musser; nephews, Lee (Karen) Hartman, and Ray (Eileen) Hartman, and many great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 11, 2024 in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Strasburg, IL with Rev. Kene Whybrew officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Thursday in the church. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Strasburg, IL with Military Rites by the Wilbur Braughton American Legion Post #611 of Stewardson, IL. Arrangements are by Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Strasburg, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Strasburg, IL, Wilbur Braughton American Legion Post #611 of Stewardson, IL or the Stewardson Veterans Memorial. Send condolences by clicking here.