Visitation begins at 5 p.m. Monday at Holy Trinity, with a liturgical wake service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to services on Tuesday.
Joseph was born April 9, 1926, to Joseph and Katharina (Heier) Hartman on a farm southwest of Hosmer. His father died that same year. His mother married Joe Binfet of Onaka, moving Joseph and his sister, Elizabeth, there for one year before their mother passed away due to complications of childbirth. Joseph and his sister then moved back to Hosmer, where they were raised by their maternal grandparents, Joseph Sr. and Theresa Heier.
Joseph joined the U.S. Army in October 1950. His tour of duty included one year spent in Germany, a time that he cherished his entire life. He was honorably discharged in October 1952. He was very proud of his service to his country and defense of the freedoms that we enjoy and was an active member of the American Legion for over 50 years. He proudly marched in parades with Legion Color Guard.
Other than his time in the military, Joseph spent his entire life in the Hosmer area. His first job was working with his uncle, Joseph J. Heier, on his grandparents' farm. He would later work for other farmers, including Baldaser Grismer and Mervin Goehring.
Joseph retired due to health issues and, in 2010, moved into the Hosmer Senior Citizens Home, where he passed away on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012.
During his life, his nieces and nephews were his children. He was a man of little worldly possessions, but was filled with love. He would always share what little he had so that others could enjoy life. He gave much and expected little in return.
Joseph cherished any time spent with family. He loved to go hunting and sparked an interest in hunting in his nephews.
His faith was very important to him, and he would always be one of the first to arrive for Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, where he was a life-long member.
Remembering his keen sense of humor and unending love are his nieces and nephews: Don Harty, Daniel Harty and Bonnie Schumacher, all of Hosmer; and Charles Harty, Virginia Sillman and Lester Harty, all of Aberdeen. He is also survived by a half-sister, Tillie Mehlhaff of Aberdeen; great-nieces and nephews, many special cousins and friends.
His parents; sister, Elizabeth "Lizzy" Harty; one brother and a half-sister (in infancy) preceded him in death.
Funeral arrangements with Gramm Funeral Home of Ipswich.
grammfuneralhome.com