Vernon Hartman

Hastings resident, Vernon "Buzz" Eugene Hartman, 72, passed away Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at Mary Lanning Memorial HealthCare, Hastings, Nebraska.

Services will be Monday, February 21, 2011; 10:00 A.M. at First St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Hastings with Pastor Joel Remmers officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings. Visitation will be Saturday, February 19, 2011; 9:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M., Sunday, February 20, 2011; 1:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. with family present 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be given to Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Morrison Cancer Center, Mary Lanning HealthCare Hospice and Oncology, or Nebraska Medical Center.

Buzz was born August 16, 1938 to Oscar & Katherine (Koch) Hartman in Webster County, Nebraska. He graduated from Campbell High School, Campbell, Nebraska in 1956. He served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958 in Germany. After serving in the Army, he attended Kearney State College where he played football. In 1961 Buzz moved to Hastings, Nebraska where he met and was united in marriage to the love of his life, Sherlyn Gerloff on May 28, 1961 in Campbell. Also in 1961, Buzz started working for Hastings Grain Inspection where he worked for the past 50 years and where he continued to work throughout his illness. Buzz was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His greatest joys in life were spending time with his family, taking road trips with Sherry, collecting sports and Elvis memorabilia, playing cards, reading, telling jokes, and watching the Yankees, Celtics, Huskers and NASCAR. Buzz was a standout athlete throughout his high school, college, military and adult athletic careers, excelling in such sports as baseball, football, basketball, bowling, and softball. Buzz played fast pitch softball for such teams as Schlitz and Oly in Hastings for 23 years. He also enjoyed umpiring for American Legion baseball and for slow pitch softball. Buzz was a member of First St. Paul's Lutheran Church and V.F.W. in Hastings. Buzz will be dearly loved, missed and never forgotten by his survivors.

Buzz was preceded in death and has joined his parents; father-in-law & mother-in-law, Chris & Clara Gerloff; brother-in-law, Kenny Davidson; and sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Bobbie & John Green.

Survivors include:
Wife: Sherry Hartman - Hastings, NE
Sons & Daughter-in-law: Brian & Marjean (Rutt) Hartman - Hastings, NE
Brad Hartman & daughter Gracie - Hastings, NE
Daughter: Brenda Hartman & daughters Clara & Sara - Lincoln, NE
Great-Grandson: Nathan Harvey - Lincoln, NE
Sister & Brother-in-law: Arlene & Roger Geitz - Hastings, NE
Sister-in-law: Donna Davidson - Hastings, NE
Brother-in-law & Spouse: Jim & Linda Gerloff - Rural Guide Rock, NE
Numerous Nieces, Nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.