Wayne Hartman

A man who taught us so much about what it means to truly live, Wayne Hartman was a very social man who was the life of the party wherever he went. A stranger to none and a friend to all, he was well known in the community he called home throughout much of his life, impacting the lives of so many within his reach. One never needed to wonder what Wayne thought as he was not one to shy away from speaking his mind. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Wayne Hartman was a genuine gift in the lives of those around him.

The decade of the 1930s is often remembered as the decade that was cloaked in hardship due to the unrelenting grip of the Great Depression. People lost their jobs, their homes, and their security in the things to come, yet the American spirit remained unbroken. Families, generations, and communities came together to weather the storm while holding on to the hope of much needed reprieve. Things only went from bad to worse by the mid-thirties as an unforgiving drought covered the nation’s heartland, which only heightened the strain on an already crippled food supply. Despite the circumstances around them, a young couple from Kankakee, Illinois, couldn’t contain their joy as they were pleased to announce the birth of a healthy baby boy on June 13, 1931. Baby Wayne was one of five children born to his parents, Fred and Alma (Nelson) Hartman, and was raised in the family home alongside his brothers, Fred and Lyle, and his sisters, Norma and Joanne. His father worked at a grain elevator and a hardware store, and the Hartman family moved quite frequently during Wayne’s formative years.

Life was forever changed for Wayne when he met the young woman with whom he shared the children he treasured. Her name was Anna Lee Landrey and they were introduced through mutual friends. Together they were blessed with four sons, Arnold, Bruce, Duwayne, and Kole, and one daughter, Connie. As a father Wayne was strict, yet he would do anything for his children. Connie remembers special Saturday afternoon record dances with her father. His son, Kole, was always grateful that his father purchased him a car. In order to support his family Wayne spent many years working as a maintenance mechanic at Roper. In 1987 he left the company and found work in the farming industry in the Deselm area.

Although he was known for his strong work ethic, Wayne was also known for his fun-loving side. When he had time off he was always looking for a good time, often with his friends and loved ones. There were unforgettable Halloween parties in the valley and during his younger years Wayne loved entertaining at the farm, especially for the Saturday night steak nights. His gatherings often included his infamous pot of beans and hay rides with Belgian horses. As his friends and family can attest, Wayne was always a gracious host and not afraid to arm wrestle people for money either!

Throughout his life Wayne was a man of many interests. He enjoyed draft horses and tractors, motorcycles and listening to sports on the radio. Although any sports would do, Wayne particularly enjoyed listening to the Cubs and the Blackhawks. He never could resist a good beer, especially if it was one of his favorites, Busch or Strohs. Wayne also enjoyed a "Hillbilly Bloody Mary" from time to time.

Through the life he lived each day, Wayne Hartman embraced each moment he was given, never taking anything for granted. He made the best of whatever life brought as he was truly content through both the great joys and the deep sorrows of life. Wayne could be a bit stubborn at times and always had to have the last word, yet he was also the sort of man who would do anything for someone else. He might not of said the words "I love you" very much verbally but you knew he did by his actions. Wayne will definitwly be missed.

Wayne A. Hartman of Manteno died on Sunday, December 4, 2011, at Riverside Medical Center. Wayne’s family includes his children, Connie (Bruce) Rosenbrock of Grant Park, Bruce (Mary) Hartman of Bourbonnais, Duwayne (Sheila) Hartman of Manteno, and Kole (Susie) Hartman of Manteno; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild; brother, Lyle (Sharon) Hartman of Kankakee; and sister, Joanne (Paul) Kyrouac of Manteno. Wayne was preceded in death by his son, Arnold; sister, Norma Maisonneuve; brother, Fred Hartman; grandchild, Chad Edwards; and great-grandchild, Kayla Mathais. Visit with Wayne’s family and friends on Wednesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. service at the Schreffler Lifestory Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Family Wishes or Hospice of Kankakee Valley. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or sign the online guestbook.