Obituary of Helmut Hartmann

Greensburg Helmut Hartmann, 84, of Greensburg, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013 at Westmoreland Manor in Hempfield Township. Mr. Hartmann was born Nov. 14, 1929, in Marburg, Germany, the son of the late Ernst and Luise (Bilau) Hartmann. In Germany following World War II, Helmut worked for the American Red Cross as a translator assisting U.S. military personnel. In 1951, he immigrated to Waterloo, Iowa, where he worked on a farm, obtained his U.S. citizenship and met his wife, Marcia Chandler. He worked for a number of automobile dealerships before moving to Illinois, where he took a position with the Lions Club International as an overseas manager. In 1977 they moved to Scottdale, and he went to work for Volkswagen of America. Helmut often said that southwestern Pennsylvania's rolling hills and trees reminded him of Germany. He was very active with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. He and his wife enjoyed outdoor activities, including bicycling and camping. Helmut was fluent in a number of different languages and traveled extensively around the world. He was a graduate of Westmoreland County Community College, with degrees in business management, transportation and paralegal. Helmut loved to play the button box and harmonica, and would often play for family and friends. He is survived by his loving family: his children; Heidi Hartmann of Greensburg, Holly Chandler Stants and her husband Roger of Hunker, and Anne Marie Zemba and her husband John of Greensburg, and by his beloved grandchildren, Ashlee Marie Stants, Stephanie Marie Zemba and Benjamin Steven Zemba. He is also survived by his companion and friend Flo Bucciero. In addition to his parents, Helmut was preceded in death by his wife, Marcia Lou Chandler Hartmann in 2006, and by his sister, Inge Brehe. Family and friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 & 6 to 8 PM at the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle Street, Mount Pleasant. Funeral Services for Mr. Hartmann will be held Saturday at 12:30 PM in the Harrold Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 671 Baltzer Meyer Pike, Greensburg, PA 15601 with the Rev. John M. Smaligo officiating. Private Inurnment will be in the Harrold Zion Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Greensburg. The family suggests memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, 2 Garden Center Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601 in memory of Helmut Hartmann. To offer an online condolence, please visit our web site at: www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com