Delonda L. "Dee" Hartmann

Aristotle said, “Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach.
Stephen King said, “We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why.”

Teacher, mentor, orator, writer, thinker, confidant, and scholar are a few words that describe Dee Hartmann.
Delonda L. “Dee” Hartmann, 90, passed from this life on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Heritage House in New Castle, with her daughter Melinda and great granddaughter, Joselyn at her side.

A 1950 graduate of New Castle High School, Dee raised three children in Mooreland. They didn’t own a car, so she taught them how to sing in the cab of the truck. She taught them about books, the love of reading, words, music, and how to eat a great bowl of popcorn.

Dee began college at the age of 39, no car, bumming rides to and from Ball State. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in 23 months graduating summa cum laude, second in a class of 1500. She taught at Blue River Valley High School for 14 years. After completing her Master’s degree, she was hired by Ball State University to teach English, World Literature, Shakespeare, Creative Writing and Communication in the prison education program and on the campus. After the prison program ended, she was hired by Ivy Tech English Department where she taught for 10 years. She received the Ball State “Teacher of the Year” award on two occasions, and was a counselor for the Student Leadership Institute at Indiana University, Bloomington for 19 years.

As an accomplished writer and playwright, Dee has 7 published works. In addition, she produced 7 plays, including Bells the Musical, co-written by Flo Lapin, John Clark and Joe Spence. With her creative spirit, she co-founded the Heartland Stage Company to facilitate works of aspiring writers and actors in Indiana.

Dee “took her family to the world,” especially her grandchildren, Josh and Abby. She encouraged theatre, ballet, travel, and exploration. A highlight for Dee and her grandchildren was the meeting with the novelist and playwright, Jan De Hartog, in his native Belgium. Time was well spent enjoying cucumber sandwiches with he and his wife, in their garden while discussing her doctorial dissertation, which he was the main thesis.

The last month of her life, she asked Melinda to read the book Fairy Tale, by author Stephen King. Dee loved every minute, often commenting on the imagery and his special use of language, having Melinda underline special passages.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Mildred (Myers) Bartuska and her husband, Ron.
Her family, Melinda & Wayne Mullens, Josh, Amy, and Joselyn Golliher, Abby and Kai Lindsey would like to thank Carla Bryant, John Clark, Avis Hewitt, and Don and Carol Hoopingarner for their profound support and love.

The expertise and gentle guidance of Mandy Boyd, NP was paramount to Dee’s family, assisting them in making sound and critical decisions. There are no words to describe the incredible care that the staff of Heritage House provided 24 hours a day for 5 years. Those lovely people including, but certainly not limited to, Betty, Serina, Lori, and Kathy, became more than friends to us.

Visitation will be from 2-5 pm, Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Funeral service will follow at 5 pm with Carla Bryant and John Clark officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to Blue River Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 233, Mt Summit, IN 47361. You may share condolences and memories at www.hinsey-brown.com .