Esther “Red” Hartman, 60, of Fort Smith passed away Thursday, April 27, 2017 in a local hospital. She was a Driver for Norfolk and South Railroad and of the Southern Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by both parents Edward James Brown and Esther Lucille Foster, two sisters, one son, two nephews, one niece and two grandchildren.

Funeral service will be graveside 11 A.M. Monday, May 1, 2017 at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.

She is survived by her husband Vernon Hartman of the home; three daughters Jennifer Clark of Wood River, IL, Berta Perez of Highland, IL and Courtaise Thompson of Granite City, IL; two sons Jerry Thompson of West Plains, MO and Steven Brown of Granite City, IL; one sister Mavis Staikoff of Fort Smith, AR; twenty-three grandchildren; one great -grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Steven Brown, Bill Douglas and Edward Brown.

The family will visit with relatives and friends Sunday, April 30, 2017 from 2-4 PM at Ocker Funeral Home,700 Jefferson Street ,Van Buren, Arkansas

We would like to thank Mercy Hospice for the excellent care given to our beloved one.

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