Renee Beverly Willour Hartman's Obituary
Renéé Beverly Willour Hartman, 92, left this earth for her eternal heavenly home on Sunday October 27, 2024, at her residence with family at her side.
Born September 18, 1932, in Sunbury, PA. Renéé lived in Shamokin, Lewisburg and Sunbury. Sunbury is where she met her future husband Hugh E. Hartman, Jr. They were married in there at the Grace Lutheran Church in 1951. She had fond memories of their honeymoon at Niagara Falls. Her husbands’ military service mandating frequent relocation, from 1953 to 1975, Renéé lived in many locales, both in the US and abroad. She lived in NY, MS, Germany, MD, PA and TX. Renéé was a resident of San Angelo, TX, from 1972 to 1982. From 1982 to the time of her death, she resided in Frederick/Walkersville, MD area.
Renéé loved and was devoted to our country, a true Patriot. Love of God and Country were important to her. She was intermittently employed at various, usually seasonal or part time jobs over the years. She additionally did volunteer work at a military family thrift store. However, her most important full-time job was the hardest job there is, and her priority. Renéé was a homemaker, a stay-at-home wife and mother, raising 5 children from 1953 through 1991. She excelled at her job. She was patient and understanding with all her children. She insisted on her children showing others respect and using good manners. She was their counselor, taxi driver, cheerleader, tutor, cook, housekeeper, even referee on occasion. She did the mending by hand and loved sewing. She made doing all these things with all the other daily chores that come with running a household full of children, appear effortless. She never complained. She took a cake decorating class and enjoyed applying what she learned. Renéé was selfless, always putting others first, especially her family. She lived the Golden Rule, daily. She was an outstanding person, tremendously admired by her family.
Renéé attended any school events or extra-curricular activities her children were involved in. She volunteered in the schools, helping with Halloween carnivals or chaperoning. She always asked her children questions and expressed interested in their daily lives. Renéé would often cut out articles of importance or that she knew would be of interest to us from the newspapers or magazines she read including Reader’s Digest and Guideposts and others that she enjoyed reading. Always rooting for the under-dog she always was quick with positive and encouraging words, a quality she consistently displayed. She loved family, family was important. She enjoyed playing cards and board games with her kids or singing and dancing with them in the living room. Singing or listening to Christmas carols together or by herself was a favorite pastime. She loved having and maintaining family traditions which in turn provided wonderful memories.
Renéé truly enjoyed and appreciated many of the simpler things in life. She loved a good cup of coffee. She loved a soft seat and a warm blanket and the color blue. She loved all flowers including Poinsettia’s during the holidays, they always made her smile. She really loved anything about or with rabbits, including live ones. She loved to watch squirrels scurry about in the yard. Renéé was fortunate to meet the boxing Champ, Muhammad Ali during the highlight period of his career which she really enjoyed! She loved Snoopy among other characters and kept favorite items, pictures, and saying around or near her to look at because they brought her joy! She always wore socks. Cold feet, warm heart! Renéé liked humorous and inspirational quotes and sayings. She basically liked anything cheerful. An avid reader, she loved Agatha Christie, Ellery Queen, Masterpiece Mystery and Whodunits in general. Renéé enjoyed a variety of T.V. programs from spiritual programs, multiple gameshows, mysteries, Perry Mason and other whodunits to animated movies. Renéé really enjoyed Christmas specials. She had a sweet tooth. She enjoyed fudge, cakes, pies, especially pecan pie. She liked banana splits and sundaes made with Neapolitan ice cream. Sundays when her children were young, she made it a weekly tradition to all watch the Wonderful World of Disney while everyone enjoyed their favorite version of a Sundae. During the Christmas season, she would bake allowing her children to help. She looked forward to seasonal treats, popcorn tins and especially fruitcake. Renéé enjoyed a variety of dishes, especially holiday meals. She really loved crab cakes, but enjoyed, Asian, Italian and Mexican cuisine as well.
Renéé never met a stranger. She had a contagious, positive and an encouraging demeanor, never said a harsh word to anyone. She was wise, humble, kind, loving, gentle and she loved her family with all her heart and soul. Her work ethic was outstanding and admirable. The Lord and family were her priorities. A Christian woman, her faith, integrity, morals, values and perseverance were superior. She was sure to teach these important lessons to her children. Renee read her bible every night. She was an inspiration to her family. Her smile could and can be seen in her children. Renéé will forever be remembered for her bright, beautiful eyes, sweet smile, her joyful laugh, big heart and tender, kind manner. Our beloved mother set the bar high! Mom walked to the beat of her own drum. She focused on her blessings and she was a blessing to all who knew and loved her. Renéé leaves behind a family who is very proud of her and loved her beyond words. She lived a life full of love of family and will be greatly missed until we see her again one glorious day!
Renéé is survived by daughter Cheryl A. Smith, EdD and husband Todd Steinhauer, of Belton TX, her daughter Mich Nicole PhD, of Edmonton Alberta Canada, her son Anthony L. Smith and wife Emily and their son Alec Zander and Logan, of Belton, TX, her daughter Krystal R. Smith of Belton, TX; daughter Nikki R. Lambert and husband Michael J. Lambert of San Angelo, TX, their daughter Carissa R. Marlowe and husband Justin K. Marlowe of San Antonio, TX, their son Cameron M. Lambert of San Angelo, TX; son Hugh E. Hartman III and wife Dana Hartman of Frederick, Maryland, his son Austin E. Hartman of Winchester, Virginia; son Robert A. Hartman of Walkersville, MD; grandson Michael K. Haskins and his sons Gabe and Luke of San Angelo, TX; Granddaughter Shelby L. Watson and husband Jason, and their sons Owen and Ethan of San Angelo, TX; her Sister-in-law Carol J. Hartman Domasco of Corpus Christi and her 5 children and their families.
Renéé was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Hugh Edward Hartman Jr.; daughter Daryl G. Hartman; maternal grandparents Hiram Judson Willour and wife Laura Wynn Willour, mother, Mabel J. Willour Bulko and husband Robert A. Bulko; half sisters, Dixie L. Bulko Steelman and husband Donald P. Steelman; brother in law Ronald Domasco; Sandra J. Bulko Lang and husband Herman J. Lang, Jr.; and Bonnie Bulko.
The family extends their gratitude and a warm heartfelt very special thanks to all those involved in her healthcare over the years.
A celebration of Renéé’s life will be held Thursday, November 7th, 2024, at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, 9501 Catoctin Mountain Hwy, Frederick, MD 21701.The service will be available live by visiting www.resthaven.us. Find her obituary. There and there will be a link for the livestream for those unable to attend.
The family requests any monetary donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.
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