Jo Ann Marie Hartman

Jo Ann Marie Hartman, the daughter of PFC Alex Robert Vana and Josephine (Greer) Vana, was born January 15, 1938, in Hallettsville, TX. Jo Ann’s childhood was sadly impacted by the loss of her father in the last days of WWII. Having been blessed with the presence of a tight Catholic Czech family and community, by God’s grace she continued to grow and thrive. She graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School, Hallettsville, TX in 1956, where she lettered as a cheerleader and basketball player. She excelled in both academics and athletics. Jo Ann admired Bill Russell and was an avid Spurs fan.

After high school she attended business school in Houston and completed certifications in bookkeeping and accounting. She was a skillful worker and performed business and accounting work for several local companies. During this time, she met Walter F. Hartman Jr. of Cuero, TX. They fell in love and were married in 1960 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville, TX. Jo Ann followed her husband Walter to Galveston, TX and eventually Corpus Christi, TX while faithfully supporting him and their young family as he completed his medical certification. The family arrived in Corpus Christi in 1964.

Jo Ann performed various office duties for the Robstown Record, the Western Star, and several area real estate companies. She substitute taught for Calallen ISD for several years during the time her children were in school. She loved her students and made many long-lasting friendships at Calallen.

She was a huge mama bear and protected and loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren fiercely. She enthusiastically attended and supported three kids and six grandkids through: school plays, recitals, livestock shows, and games and was a lifetime Calallen Wildcat fan, Aggie fan, Spurs fan, and Cowboy fan. Jo Ann was a founding and longtime member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She had many passions and interests and loved movies, music, singing, painting, and crafting to name a few. Jo Ann had a huge heart and was thankful for all God's gifts.

She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Alex Robert Vana and Josephine Vana; her sister, Dolores Appelt; husband, Walter F. Hartman; and daughter, Lynda K. Zimmerman. Her good friends, Hilda Anthony and Ginger Campbell.

She is survived by her brother, Alex Lee Vana; brother-in-law, Poochie Appelt; sons, David Hartman and Sammy Hartman; grandchildren, Jordan Hartman, Cameron Hartman, Alex Hartman, Hanah Hartman, Heidi Hartman, Nathan Zimmerman, and Chris Foster; and great-grandchild, Simon Hartman; nieces, Roxanne Chapman, Lisa Pressarra, Amy Appelt, Karen Stoldt, and Stacey Vana Roeder; and nephews, Michael Appelt, Darrell Apelt, Eric, Appelt, Mike Stoldt, and Richard Stoldt.

and many more lives she touched…

A celebration of life for Jo Ann will be held Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 3:00 PM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 16602 FM624, Robstown, Texas 78380. A reception will follow immediately afterward at River Hills Country Club.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemoryGardensFuneralHome.com for the Hartman family.