Bernard E. Hartings

Bernard E. Hartings, age 91, of St. Henry, died on Friday, May 27, 2022, at Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater.  He was born February 2, 1931, in Chickasaw, Ohio to the late Albert & Anna (Homan) Hartings.  On September 25, 1954, he married Esther (Timmerman) Hartings, and she preceded him in death on September 4, 2005.  Ben is survived by children, Jane & Neal Heitkamp of Celina, Dan & Doris Hartings of St. Marys, Deb & Jim Freeman of New Bremen, and Karen & Phil Eilerman of Bradford, 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, his sister and brother-in-law, Hilda & Harold Meyer of Egypt and dear friend, Jeanette Fullenkamp of St Henry.
In addition to his wife and parents, Ben is preceded in death by a great grandson, Joseph Freeman, as well as siblings and in-laws, Louis & Irene Hartings, Esther & William Knapke, and Gregor & Joan Hartings.

Ben was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church in St. Henry.  He served his country in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean War.  He enjoyed talking about his army days.  Ben retired from the former New Idea Company in Coldwater in 1996 after working for many years as a job setter.  In his retirement, he enjoyed wood working and spending time with his family and playing cards with friends.  He knew how to make people smile with his subtle, witty humor.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at St. Henry Catholic Church.  Following the funeral mass, burial with military honors will take place in St. Henry Cemetery.  Friends and family may call from 2:00pm – 8:00pm on Wednesday, June 1, and from 9:00 – 10:00am on Thursday, June 2, at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry.  Condolences may be expressed at hogenkampfh.com.