Donald L. Hartman – aka “Big Klu”, aka “Big Don” – 87, of Sunman, Indiana, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home on Friday, September 18, 2026. Don grew up in New Alsace and spent most of his life in Sunman, graduating from Sunman High School in 1957. After high school, he drove a truck for Miller Block before being drafted into the United States Army, where he served as a heavy vehicle driver with the 81st Armory Division, 1st Battalion in Fort Hood, Texas.
Upon returning home to Sunman after the military, he began a career with Cincinnati Incorporated, where he worked for 38 years, retiring as a Manufacturing Engineer. Throughout his life, Donnie was a constant presence in the community and quietly dedicated himself to making Sunman a better place for the people he called friends and neighbors.
Donnie had a lifelong love of sports – playing baseball and basketball in high school. His passion for baseball led him to play and manage local baseball and softball teams for many years. His children remember spending countless days at the ball fields, keeping the books for their dad’s teams. After hanging up his cleats, he took up golf that he loved playing with his friends and family and always enjoyed the laughter, the jokes and story telling that went along with it.
Donnie was a founding member of the Sunman Area Life Squad and proudly served his community with them for 30 years, making a difference in hundreds of lives throughout his career. A devout Catholic and member of St. Nicholas Parish, Don served on Parish Council and as a Eucharistic Minister. He also served as President of the Sunman Town Board for two terms and was a member of the Raintree Board of Directors for several years and was a member of the Sunman American Legion. Don invested himself wholeheartedly in his community because he wanted the best for his family and his neighbors. He gave his time and energy to the things he believed were important, never seeking attention or recognition. He simply saw what needed to be done and did it.
At home, Donnie enjoyed the simple things in life. He loved fishing and especially looked forward to the annual crappie trip with his buddies. Although farming was hard work, Don wouldn’t have had it any other way. He enjoyed working at the farm and took pride in his vegetable garden, which was often so abundant that he had plenty to share with family and friends. The Cincinnati Reds also held a special place in Don’s heart. Whether attending the games in person or watching them from home, he never seemed to get enough of his beloved Redlegs. He was a scholar of the game and shared his talents with many!
Donnie will be deeply missed by his children Timothy L. (Penny) Hartman, Scott A. (Diane) Hartman, Amy K. (John Buschur) Jackson, Andrew W. (Stephanie) Hartman; grandchildren Ashley, Lauren (John), Zac (Scarlett), Kyle, Joshua (Taylor), Taylor (Laura), Molly (Justin), Tasha (Jared), Dakota, Kateri, Peyton, Wyatt; 10 great grandchildren; siblings Shirley Schuman, Janice Dieselberg, Linda (Gary) Zimmerman, Carol Harsh, Sylvia Meeks, and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
Donnie is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Ginger Hartman; parents Anna and Leo Hartman; siblings Jerry Hartman, Phyllis Voegele, Rita Hartman; brothers-in-law Harold Schuman, Gary Dieselberg, Richard Harsh, Glen Meeks, Jim Fritsch and sisters-in-law, Mary Hartman and Jenny Fritsch.
Visitation honoring Donnie will be held on Friday, September 25 at Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home. Rosary will begin at 2:30pm followed by visitation until 6:00pm. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Saturday, September 26 at 9:30am – 10:30am. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 at St. Nicholas Church with military honors and burial immediately following in the church cemetery. Donations can be made to Sunman Area Life Squad and St. Nicholas School Heritage Project and will be accepted at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com.