Virginia Rose Hartman

Virginia Rose Morehead Hartman passed away peacefully Thursday evening, February 21, 2008 at Royalton Manor, St. Joseph. She had been a former resident of Lakeview Terrace Apartments. The family will meet friends on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 from 9:30-11:00 AM at the Coloma United Methodist Church, 144 S. Church Street, Coloma, where the funeral service will be at 11:00 AM, with Pastor O'Ryan Rickard officiating. According to her wishes cremation will follow the service. Arrangements by Bangor Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home. Virginia was born May 12, 1922 in Arlington Township, to Mabel and Oliver Morehead of Bangor the youngest of their five children. While growing up on her family's farm, she was active in Girl Scouts, which led to many fond reunions with her childhood friends. She graduated from Bangor High School, where she was first noticed by Carlton Hartman in the marching band. She attended Mahrs Business School in Kalamazoo and worked at The Kalamazoo Gazette. During WW II she worked at Standard Coil, Bangor, while Carlton was stationed in the Aleutian Islands. They were married December 18, 1943, at her sister's farmhouse. After the war, Carlton attended barber school, eventually settling with Virginia in Coloma, where he opened Carl's Barber Shop. They raised their family of four, keeping busy with sports, Band Boosters, and active membership in the Coloma United Methodist Church, a bond which lasted over sixty years. While raising her family, Virginia was manager of the jewelry department at Kmart. Later she and Carlton enjoyed volunteering at the Crystal Springs Youth Camp. After health problems forced both Virginia and Carlton into early retirement, they became part-time custodians of their beloved Coloma UMC. Later, as newspaper carriers of the Herald Palladium in the Hillview Mobile Home Park, Virginia enjoyed "checking on" her older customers. When they moved to Lakeview Terrace, they enthusiastically made the change from rooting for the Coloma Comets to cheering-on their two grandchildren in St. Joe Bear activities. After moving to Royalton Manor last June, Virginia immersed herself in bingo, crafts, and musical programs, the latter a lifelong love. Virginia is survived by Carlton, her husband of sixty-four years; and daughters, Carole Sternaman of Coloma, Connie (Daryl) Iwankovitsch of Cass City, Carla (George) Frischkorn, of St. Joseph; son, Gary (Karen) Hartman of Elgin, SC; 9 grandchildren; five great granddaughters; two sisters-in-law, Bee Morehead of Ft. Wayne, IN, Edith Hartman of Grand Rapids; two nieces; and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings; and son-in-law, Monte Sternaman. The family suggests memorial donations to Crystal Springs United Methodist Youth Camp, Bay Shore Youth Camp, or In-House Hospice Solutions of Kalamazoo.

Virginia Rose Hartman

May 12, 1922 - February 21, 2008