Melvin John Hartman

Melvin John Hartman, 86, passed away at his home in Springville on Saturday, May 12, 2012, of natural causes. His devoted and beloved wife of 65 years was with him. John was born March 24, 1926 in Chestnut Woods, West Virginia, to Melvin Earl Hartman and Mary Ellen Lambert. He married his sweetheart, Charlotte Louise Eye, on May 10, 1947. Their marriage was sealed in the Oakland LDS Temple on March 16, 1974.



John served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and survived the sinking of his ship, the Colin. Lured by the purple sunsets of the west that he'd read about, John took his young family across the country to Arizona, where he earned a master's degree in education at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. After graduating, he took a teaching job in Lincoln, California, where he and Charlotte lived for 27 years and raised their four daughters. John also worked 33 seasons for the National Park Service, serving in the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Zion. John enjoyed chopping wood, grafting apple trees, making apple juice, Scrabble, hiking, bike riding, hunting, fishing, and simply enjoying the outdoors. He had a special gift with animals. He was a loving and loyal husband, father, and grandfather. John was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a faithful home teacher, counselor in the bishopric, and bishop.



John is survived by his wife Charlotte; his four daughters, Gloria (Roy) Smilanick of Fresno, California; Vicky Hartman of Springville, Utah; Cindy (Howard) Bodily of Tempe, Arizona, and Karri Hartman of Springville, Utah; 16 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Weldon Hartman and Otis Hartman of West Virginia.



Funeral services will be held Friday, May 18, 2012, at 11 am in the Springville 18th Ward Chapel located at 550 North 235 East in Springville. Friends and family may call at the church one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in the Historic Springville City Cemetery with military rites by the American Legion.



In lieu of flowers, please donate to Primary Children's Medical Center or Shriners Hospitals for Children.