Hartman, James Granville

Sergeant-Major James Granville Hartman, U.S. Marine Corps, retired, 80, of Federal Court, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 9:20 a.m. Monday, Sept. 1,  2003,in Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.

He was born on June 20, 1923, in Nashville, Tenn., to John Eldridge and Mary Leotis (Peay) Hartman. Immediately following graduation from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served full-time active duty for 30 years, and was retired in 1971.

As a Marine, he served in combat in World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam era. He was awarded many decorations, medals and commendations including the Purple Heart for injuries suffered in combat. He was promoted to the enlisted man's highest rank, sergeant-major, in 1966.

In retirement, SgtMaj Hartman volunteered with the Niles City Police Department Auxiliary and served as chief of the auxiliary. He was a life member of and past commandant of the Saint Joseph Valley Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

He was first married to Jewel Grizzard. On May 26, 1988, in Las Vegas, Nev., he was married to the former Doris M. (Stoerkel) Thomas, who survives. He is also survived by a son, Kenneth Hartman of Hope, Alaska; a stepson, Michael C. Thomas of Niles; granddaughters, Cassandra and Melissa Thomas; and by a brother, T. Raymond Hartman of Nashville.

He was preceded in death by a brother, who died in childhood.

Funeral services for SgtMaj James G. Hartman will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett of Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles, officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Full military honors will be provided by the funeral detail of the Bravo Company, Sixth Engineering Security Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps, South Bend, Ind. Additional honors will be provided by the Niles City Police Department.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.