Jacksonville Journal, Friday, November 9, 2001

JACKSONVILLE
Beatrice Hayes "Bea" Hartman, 90, of Jacksonville, died Wednesday morning, Nov. 7, 2001, at the Healthsouth Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables, Fla.

She was born July 19, 1911, in Bunker Hill, the daughter of Eula Neil and Ralph Heck Hayes. She married Robert R. Hartman, her college sweetheart, on Feb. 23, 1937, and he survives.

She is also survived by two daughters, Linda (husbad, Richard) Skop of Coral Gables, Fla., and Susanne (husband, Michael) Verticchio of Jacksonville; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Hartman graduated from Bunker Hill High School and received her bachelor's of arts degree from Illinois College in 1934. After studying at Brown's Business College, she served as secretary to the Illinois College Dean of Women, Clara B. Williams, and later to IC President Harold Jacquith.

After moving to Chicago, she became a private secretary at the University of Chicago. She and her husband were married while he was at Northwestern University Medical School and, after his graduation, they moved to St. Louis for his specialty training. She continued her secretarial career there and, while following her husband in his military assignments during World War II, she served as a volunteer Red Cross Gray Lady.

After the war, she and her family returned to Jacksonville, where she was active in civic affairs, serving at Illinois College on the David Smith House Board and as a co-chair for the campaign "Operation Petticoat", to provide furniture for the new Ellis Hall women's residence.

Beginning in 1949 she hosted quinquennial reunions for her classmates as well as for her husband's class each following year. She also co-chaired the annual Osage Orange Picnic for many years.

In 1983, the Illinois College awarded her an Alumni Citation. Each year, beginning in 1987 and continuing until 1999, she and her husband hosted meetings of the Greater Phoenix Illinois College Alumni Association.

Active as a leader for both Brownie and Girl Scouts, she became director of the Illinois Prairie Council of Girl Scouts, serving for seven years. She was also involved in several community organizations, including the College Hill Club, the Household Science Club, and the Garden Club. As an active member of the Congregational Church, she co-chaired the annual church luncheon for many years.

Ms. Hartman was a life member of the Passavant Hospital Auxiliary, and, on Wednesdays, for many years after the hospital moved from State Street to its present location, she supplied home-baked cakes to the coffee shop. In addition, she organized the Candy Stripers, teenage girl volunteers at the hospital. Each year, she also hosted the incoming class of student nurses in her home with dinner and entertainment.

In 1964, she helped organize the Morgan-Scott Chapter of the Illinois State Medical Sociaty Auxiliary. Her continued interest in the auxiliary's activities was rewarded by her election to the state organization in 1973, and she served at the national level as well.

She was a life member of the Strawn Art Association and was a loyal patron of the Beaux Arts Ball.

She became interested in the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as Chapter Registrar for several years. She was an active participant in the efforts to restore and maintain the Governor Duncan mansion in Jacksonville. On many occasions, she served as a costumed guide to the mansion.

A woman of broad interests, she loved gardening and travel, but, aside from the love of family, her greatest interest was the culinary arts. She enjoyed entertaining a great many guests, ranging from intimate friends and professional associates to public figures, including a representative from the People's Republic of China.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Monday at the Gillham-Buchanan Funeral Home in Jacksonville. Friends may call after noon Monday at the funeral home, where the family will meet friends from 1 p.m. until the time of services. A private family burial will be held later at Diamond Grove Cemetery in Jacksonville. Memorials are suggested to Illinois College.