Proud of his Kentucky roots, he was a graduate of the Clay High School class of 1960. Ernest enlisted in the United States Army and served until 1964. He began his career with Thatcher Glass Company and continuously worked in the glass field until his retirement in 1998 as Mold Shop Supervisor.

In 1968 Ernest married the love of his life, the late Sandra Lee Begraft, enjoying life and raising their family together for forty-seven years before she passed away June 14, 2015. A talented woodworker and all-around handyman, Ernest mostly enjoyed farming at their family farm and spending time with his family. He was a doting grandfather whose world evolved around his grandchildren.

Mr. Hartman was predeceased by his brothers Noah Farmer, William George and Robert Wayne Hartman as well as a sister Bertha Ann Shoffner. He is survived in life by his loving daughters Merriha Lee Hartman and Jennet Landrum both of Mt. Arlington as well as his step daughter Kim Ann O’Connor of Maple Shade, NJ. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren William C. Landrum Jr. and Charlette Smith as well as his sister Donna Jean Leslie of Henderson Kentucky.

Visitation will be held Thursday February 2, 2023 from 3-5 and 7-9 PM in the Smith-Taylor-Ruggiero Funeral Home One Baker Ave. (Rt. 46) Dover, NJ 07801. Funeral Services will be held in the funeral home Friday February 3, 2023 at 10 AM with interment immediately following in the Sparta Presbyterian Cemetery Sparta, NJ. In lieu of flowers memorials in Ernest’s memory may be made to the Oddfellows Cemetery Clay Kentucky C/O Jessica Mitchell #750 Oscar Todd Road Clay, Kentucky 42404. Online condolences through www.smith-taylor-ruggierofuneralhome.com//a>.