Sherlin “Hick” William Hartman, 77, of Zelienople passed away peacefully Saturday at his home surrounded by his family. Hick had a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Hick was born on April 28, 1936, in Wexford to Sherlin Thomas Hartman and Blanche Wittmer Hartman.

He had a younger brother, Dave, who preceded him in death in 1973.

Growing up was not easy on Hick. His father passed away at an early age of 33, and this required Hick to help out working and raising his younger brother.

For Hick to do this, he had to drop out of school in the 9th grade to work full time. He did what he had to do and he ended up taking the custodial job at his school. He also worked at Munson's garage in the North Hills pumping gas and working on cars. He had a friend, Bob Gass, who had some trucks that needed a driver and from the age of 16 years old his path in life was paved in asphalt. He would have it no other way.

He drove many different types of trucks from milk hauling to steel hauling and finally to freight hauling in which he settled in his career. He worked for the former Pittsburgh based EazorExpress and Teamsters Local 249 for over 20 years. He also worked for Mobil Chemical out of Midland, Pa., and his final job from which he retired and enjoyed the most was for General Nutrition Centers, where he put in 24 years and 1.9 million accident free miles. In his retirement years, he also worked for Penske on Neville Island shuttling trucks.

Hick was very conscientious in his driving style; he always worried about his family, company and the motoring public when he was working. He expected the same from his boys as they grew up and both attained careers in the transportation industry starting as drivers and moving into management.

He lived a work ethic that will survive in the many people who had touched his life. Hick also never had a bad word to say about anyone. He was well liked and respected by his friends and colleagues.

Hick served in 171st Air Transport Wing of the PANG at Greater Pittsburgh Airport during the Korean War.

He was member of the Unionville American Legion, the Hungarian Club of Zelienople and loved a traditional Pittsburgh beverage, Iron City. In his last days he would ask for a “little Iron.” It always provided a small relief.

Hick is survived by his wife, Nancy, who he married on June 8, 1990; their sons, William (Vanessa) Wiles of Zelienople, Douglas (Cindy) Wiles of Canada, Russell Wiles of Ellwood City, Scott (Diane) Wiles of Douglasville, Ga., Bill (Chris) Hartman of Cranberry and Tom Hartman of Zelienople; 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Hartman — The friends of Sherlin “Hick” William Hartman who passed away Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 9 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Devlin Funeral Home, 2678 Rochester Road, Cranberry.In lieu of flowers, the family would request donations to Gateway Hospice, 9380 McKnight Road, Suite 201 Arcadia Court, Pittsburgh PA 15237.