Merline Ann Hartman

Merline Ann Hartman, age 80, of Orange Grove, Texas, passed away on May 21, 2025. She was born on October 26, 1944, in Orange Grove, Texas to Henry and Marguerite Wiechring. Merline graduated from Orange Grove High School in 1962, as the class valedictorian. She attended Texas Tech University and completed her bachelor’s degree at Texas A & I University in Kingsville in 1967. She taught English and reading in Orange Grove, Agua Dulce, Alice, and Robstown before retiring in 1998.

Merline was a devoted Christian and a fierce prayer warrior. She was an active and lifelong member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Orange Grove where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Confirmation classes. She also organized Luther League groups and activities, served on the church council, call committees, as a lay reader, usher team, offering counter, and in any other capacity she was called to do.

Known to many as “The Mimi,” she was a beloved wife, mother, sister, and grandmother. She loved her family, her church, her community, and the Lord.

Merline found joy in spending time with her family – especially in attending all of her grandchildren’s events. She was also a talented seamstress who created beautiful clothes for her family, as well as blankets and quilts. Her fabric stash was a legendary one and the numerous trips to the fabric stores to select patterns and fabrics were some of the fondest memories of her daughters. She was also an amazing cook and baker – known for her barbecue sauce, her buttermilk pies, her spinach casserole, and Spanish rice. Mimi also had a green thumb and she loved gardening and growing plants in her free time. She also loved ANY college sports event – especially if it involved watching the Texas Aggies. Even when they disappointed her, she was still their number one fan.

After retiring from teaching the first time, Merline stayed home to raise her children and run the family pig farm. She has always had a passion for animals, and if a stray dog or cat happened to find its way to her house, it usually found a new home. She also loved hunting and fishing with her husband and spending time watching the wildlife at their various leases throughout the years. She also loved to shop for her grandchildren, for antiques, and for home decor.

Merline was also actively involved in all school and community activities, but she loved supporting the OG FFA and OG FCCLA programs, often serving as a judge, evaluator, chaperone, and driver for these organizations. For nearly 20 years, she and her husband established annual scholarships for both programs. She also served on a variety of committees for the Nueces Electric Cooperative when her husband served as a director.

Merline is survived by her loving husband of almost 60 years, Louis "Billy" William Hartman; her sister, Martha Prestipino; her sister-in-law, Carol (Wallace) Burgeson; her brother-in-law, Donald (Glenna) Hartman; her children; Molly (Michael) Dobson, Jennifer (Joseph) Lopez, and Matt (Julie) Hartman; her grandchildren, Hannah and Emily Brock, Ethan Dobson, Ashlyn (Clay) Caddell, Audrey Dobson, Cody Dobson, Andrew (Haley) Lopez, Lexi Lopez, Cody, Dylan, and Tyler Hartman, and Jeremy (Skye) Rogers; her great-grandchildren, Carter Caddell, and Bradley and Walker Rogers. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and friends she thought of as family. She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Marguerite Wiechring, and her brother, Allen Wiechring.

Serving as pallbearers are Michael Dobson, Joseph Lopez, Andrew Lopez, Cody Hartman, Dylan Hartman, Tyler Hartman, Cody Dobson, and Jeremy Rogers.

Visitation will be held from 5 PM until 7 PM on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Orange Grove. A Funeral Service will begin at 10 AM on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Orange Grove. Interment will follow at Sons of Hermann Cemetery in Orange Grove.

In lieu of flowers, Merline would like you to honor her memory by contributing to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church Memorial Fund in Orange Grove, Texas. For those who wish to express their condolences, you are welcome to share your heartfelt condolences with the family below by adding an entry on the online guest book below.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads' Funeral Home. 361-547-3224 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com