John Leslie Hartman Jr., 87MIDDLETOWN - John Leslie Hartman Jr., 87 years old, of Middletown, Indiana passed away by natural causes at his home Friday, November 25, 2016 at 11:55 p.m.John Hartman was born on December 4, 1929 in Akron, Ohio to Johann Leslie Hartman Sr. & Elta May Sigler.He spent his early years in Akron, Ohio before moving to Lawrenceburg, Indianawhere he was an athlete and played basketball before graduating High School.He met the love of his life Patricia Huffman in 1952. They were married on December 4, 1953 in Evansville, Indiana.Their first child Chiquita Lynn was born in 1953. Soon following was Cynthia Anne in 1954. Then son Johnny Douglas 1956. Finally, Carole Lee 1960. John and family were members of First Baptist Church in Dillsboro, In.John worked for Seagram for several years in Lawrenceburg, then Fernald in Ohio, and also Jerkins before finding long term employment with Chrysler in New Castle, Indiana. He started his career there as a welder in 1965 and continued employment until 1993 at which time he retired after twenty-eight years of continued dedication.When first employed with Chrysler he commuted from Dillsboro to New Castle and back and forth for eight months until he could move his family to Mt. Summit, Indiana in 1966. Shortly after he purchased a farm in Spiceland, Indiana where he raised his family and lived and farmed for many years.John, Patti, and children were long time members of Spiceland Methodist Church.As an adult John spent most of his free time with family and friends, traveled most of the U.S., and was an avid outdoors man. He loved horses. He loved hunting, fishing, and boating. While he was still physically active, he played a lot of golf. He loved to watch sports on tv. Especially baseball and golf. He was a big Reds fan. He was always a hard worker and great provider to his family.After retirement John and Patty sold their farm in 1995 and continued to travel the country and visit many family and friends. They spent several winters in their RV alternating between Yuma, Arizona and West Palm Beach, Florida and returning to Indiana for the warmer months.His final settling and home were in Middletown, Indiana where he lived with his wife Patti and his beloved dog, PJ. He was surrounded by his loving family of fourchildren, eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.He is preceded in death by both his parents, Johann Lesley Hartman & Elta May Sigler, and an older brother, Henry Hartman; brother-in-law, Bobby Taylor, and cousins, John Paul and Leroy Schafer.His surviving family includes wife of sixty-three years, Patricia Huffman Hartman of Middletown, Indiana; children, Chiquita (Roger) Worley of Middletown, Indiana, Cynthia (Charlie) Alcorn of Middletown, Indiana, Johnny (Sherri) Hartman of Clay Center, Kansas, Carole (Dan) Eichhorn of Middletown, Indiana; grandchildren, Cassel (Jayne) Smith of New Castle, Indiana, Ty Winkhart of Byron, Illinois, Justin Hartman, Caleb (Donna) Smith of New Castle, Indiana, Jansen Hartman, Kyle(Bethany) Eichhorn of Pendelton, Indiana, Cory Hartman of Clay Center, Kansas, Kristyn Draper of Clay Center, Kansas, Chad Hartman of Clay Center, Kansas, Austin Worley of Middletown, Indiana, and Lara Maye Eichhorn of Middletown, Indiana; great-grandchildren, Silas Smith "George" of Spiceland, Indiana, Ashtin Worley of Middletown, Omi, Oni, and Owen of Clay Center, Kansas, and Joaquin & Xiomara of Byron, Illinois; sister, Ruth May (Carl) Faye of Dillsboro, Indiana; along with many adoring nieces, nephews and cousins.There will be a celebration of life in honor of Johnny on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at The Middletown American Legion from 2:00 p.m. to closing , located at 450 N. 10th St. Middletown, IN 47356Instead of memorial contributions the family would rather any donations be madeunder Johnny's name to the church or organization of your choice.The family would like to send a special thanks to Ballard & Sons Funeral Home of Middletown, Indiana and to John's devoted nephew, Randall Hehe, for everything they have done.'We will always carry your memory in our hearts'