Howard Hartman

Howard Ralph Hartman, of Carmel, Indiana, died on April 26, 2024 (94 years, 5 months, 4 days), in the kind care of the staff at Compassus Hospice, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born at home in Wichita, Kansas on November 22, 1929, the beloved son of Hugh Enos and Carrie Edna (Forrester) Hartman.  

He is mourned by his wife of 72 years, Marlene, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family and friends. 

Even though he was a city boy, he enjoyed working on the family farm in St. John, Kansas during his youth. He also was fascinated by his crystal radio project, both in the assembly and experimentation. 

Unwillingly, he began his education at Sunnyside Elementary School in Wichita, KS (his mother literally had to drag him down the street to school), but he proved to be a good student. He was inducted into the National Honor Society at Wichita East High School (class of 1948). He attended Wichita State University, graduating with honors in 1952 with a degree in psychology. 

Though they both graduated from East, he didn’t meet Marlene Keene until they were in college. They wed on August 5, 1951, at College Hill Methodist Church, in Wichita, a happy day despite the heat. Howard bragged that he had been married to the love of his life for 72 years.

Howard was in R.O.T.C. during college and then served as a lieutenant in the Korean War. While he was stationed overseas, his first child, Cynthia Ann, was born. 

After he was discharged from the army, he was hired by Wonder Bread/Hostess Cake in Wichita. The company transferred him to Indiana, where he and his family would live the rest of his life. Howard became a broker for McClain Matthews Realtors, then served as Personnel Director for the Federal Aviation Administration at the Indianapolis International Airport. 

He was a child during the Great Depression and learned early on to be thrifty. Howard loved to tinker with electronics, fix up automobiles, and work in his garden. There was nothing he didn’t think he could get working again…eventually. 

He lived most of his life in Home Place and Carmel, Indiana. He enjoyed spending time with family and visiting with old friends; for many years, he and Marlene attended their high school reunions with fellow ‘48 East High Aces in Wichita. As a young family man, he enjoyed camping. He and Marlene attended over 40 running’s of the Indianapolis 500. 

Howard is predeceased by his parents and sisters, Mabel and Louise Hartman. He is survived by his wife, M. Marlene Keene Hartman; three children Cindy (Dean) Hanssen, Debra (Kevin) Van Meter, Douglas Hartman and partner Susan Morgan; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren, whom he loved very much and remembered fondly during his final days. 

The funeral will be Thursday, May 2, 2024. Visitation 11:00 to 1:00 at Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center, 325 East Carmel Drive, Carmel, Indiana. Service to follow at 1:00.  He will be interred in the Carmel Cemetery following the funeral service.

Donations may be made to Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 1605 E 106th Street, Carmel, Indiana, 46280.