James L. Hartman 87, of Brookings, passed away Friday, September 18, 2015 at the Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota in Sioux Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Brookings. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Tuesday at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings with a Liturgical Wake Service beginning at 6:30 pm.

James Leo Hartman was born on September 11, 1928 in Madison, SD the son of Julius and Lydia (Vreyens) Hartman. James received his education in St. Thomas School in Madison, SD. He was united in marriage to Dolores D. “Dolly” Gomes on September 24, 1949 in Providence, Rhode Island. He served in the United States Navy from 1947 until 1950. Following his military, he was employed in Omaha, NE for three years until moving to South Dakota. James was then employed at 3M Company in Brookings as a maintenance mechanic from 1971 until his retirement in 1991.

He was a member of the St. Thomas More Catholic Parish, the Elks and a past member of the Knights Of Columbus. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.

James is survived by his wife Dolores “Dolly” of Brookings; three daughters Janet (Judd) Ball Pierre, SD, Carol Zillgitt of Watertown, SD, Anita (Kevin) Ailts of Brookings, SD; five sons James (Bonnie) Hartman, Jr. of Grand Island, NE, John (Sherri) Hartman of Brookings, SD, Jeffrey (Trudi) Hartman of Brookings, SD, Michael Hartman of Dell Rapids, SD, Thomas (Sharon) Hartman of Jacksonville, NC; 21 Grandchildren; 32 Great Grandchildren; one Brother Jerry (Cathy) Hartman of Salt Lake City, UT; three sisters, Rozanne Broomhead, Patricia (Jeff) Delstra and Judy (Richard) Nelson all of Salt Lake City, UT and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Cecelia; two brothers, Roger and John; two sisters, Beatrice Larson and Colletta Galbreath and one son-in-law, Kelly Zillgitt.