Daniel Earl Hartman

Daniel Earl Hartman was born on April 15, 1956, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. 

Daniel (AKA Danny, Dan, Dad, Daddy, PopPop, Grandpa), 68, was a resident of Converse, Texas. On Saturday, January 4th, 2025, at 2:41 PM, he took "a jet ride” straight into the arms of Jesus. His life journey was an extraordinary one. The son of Cecilia Marie Hartman and Harry Edson Hartman, who himself served as a Navy Corpsman during WWII, raised Daniel to have a heart beating with patriotic fervor. Daniel, following in his father’s footsteps, decided to serve his nation and subsequently pursued a career in Naval aviation. During the early stages of his pilot training, Christmas leave was granted and he went home to family. While visiting at home, he sought the fellowship of his college and career friends of Manahawkin Baptist Church and attended a social function, Christmas Caroling to shut ins, where he met a shy young nurse, named Mary Jo. He loved to tell the story of their meeting to anyone who would listen, and how he knew the moment he met her, she would one day become his wife. When they met, he had 5 days remaining in his leave and he pursued dating her all five days and then went back to pilot training. While they were apart geographically, he refused to let her forget him, although she needed some convincing that any relationship could happen over such long distances. However, when a 14-page letter written from an airport lounge on yellow legal paper he bought in the airport gift shop arrived, she had a feeling he might prove to be someone she might want to get to know. Daniel came home 5 months later and not a single day went by without a letter, a card, flowers and long-distance phone calls and they became engaged. With a unified vision of all important values, they were married on May 15, 1982. As newlyweds they moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where five months later Daniel earned his coveted wings of Gold on October 8th, 1982. As of the day of Daniel’s death, Danny & Mary Jo were married 42 years and shared both exquisite joys and heart aches all along the way. They were blessed to have four incredible children, who were all the pride and joy of Daniel’s World. Daniel Earl; Christopher Lawrence, Maria Christine and Benjamin Joseph. 

Daniel loved to fly, but particularly loved the challenges of flying aboard aircraft carriers. The first “trap” he took was aboard the USS Lexington, which is now docked in port as a museum in Corpus Christi, Texas and Daniel was beyond happy that he got to stand on its deck and tell stories to his children we brought there. During his lengthy military career, he landed aboard several aircraft carriers and served overseas in the Philippine Islands, Guam, Japan, as well as other places. While he loved military aviation, it was too heartbreaking to leave his wife and children and head out to sea, and so he left the Navy and was offered a job as a commercial airline pilot at TWA. TWA was bought out by American Airlines and so he then became a pilot for them while also serving in the naval reserves. Medical conditions put a stop to his flight in the air, but did not keep him from his beloved cockpit. He taught in the simulator at Flight Safety International and the US Government. Along with serving his nation, Daniel loved serving his community. He believed in the spirit of volunteerism and so he became a valued member of the volunteer firefighters for St. Charles County. He also took Command of 11 squadrons for the Civil Air Patrol in St. Charles, Missouri. Civil Air Patrol, America's Air Force auxiliary, prides itself upon building the nation's finest force of citizen volunteers serving America. Its core values include Integrity, Volunteerism, Excellence and Respect. 

During his service in the military, his fitness reports reflected excellence and ranked him high, for early promotion. During his period as a simulator instructor pilot for the Air Force, teaching young aviators how to be the best pilots they can be, he took “Best Sim Instructor”. Daniel also helped open Doss Aviation in Pueblo, Colorado which is the initial flight screening location for the Air Force. 

Aside from his passion for our country and volunteering, his first love was and is: JESUS. He was an amazing man after God’s own heart and a dedicated prayer warrior. All those who knew him well would seek his prayers, in time of need. He was a man of strong personal convictions and didn’t mind sharing those with anyone who would listen and occasionally even with those who might resist. He served at churches we attended during the growing up years of his children. 

Daniel loved to take his children camping, fishing and to the many varied activities they were involved in for enrichment during their decades of home education. He was a man who didn’t know a stranger and gave of himself wholeheartedly. His wife and children describe him as the most generous man that they have ever known. 

Since his final move landed him in San Antonio, Texas, at Randolph Air Force Base, his beloved church home is Cornerstone Church where he served as an usher at the 11:00 service, whenever his health allowed him to do so. 

Daniel is survived by his wife, Mary Josephine Hartman, and children by birth and marriage. Daniel Earl and his wife, Carrie Lynn; Christopher Lawrence and his wife, Kimberly Anne; Benjamin Joseph and his wife to be, Megan Elizabeth; and Daniel’s “princess” Maria Christine. Daniel is also survived by six much-loved grandchildren: William Daniel & Cecelia Rose; Freya Jean, Gabriel Christopher, Selene Leane; and Malani Renee. His surviving siblings are Harry Hartman, AKA Skip; Cecilia Langoski and Kathleen Stowell. 

Daniel was a man who also loved animals. Stray animals would somehow find him, and he would care for them until their owners could be found. One such animal refused to be returned to his owners and kept running back to Daniel, his current, beloved pet, a beautiful black cherished canine called COSMO. 

Thank you to all those who have expressed their love and happy memories of Daniel. He was a man with a great sense of humor and would always say, “if you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.” 

Daniel, Danny, Dad, PopPop, we love you. 

Daniel & Maryjo’s non – negotiable charitable contributions were to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and World Vision. Their sweet sponsor child’s name is Bella Melissa. If anyone is so inclined to donate to either charity in Daniel’s name, I am certain it would be a Blessing.

A Visitation for Daniel will be held from 5:00PM - 8:00PM on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at Schertz Funeral Home Chapel. The Funeral Service will take place at 11:00AM on Monday, January 27, 2025 at Cornerstone Church. There will be a time of fellowship offered after the service, followed by interment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 2:15PM.