James Harry Hilgartner

James Harry Hilgartner, 78, of Hereford Maryland, passed away on June 15, 2022. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles Milton and Mary Catherine (Gamble) Hilgartner and his brother Robert Hilgartner and left behind Rose Marie (Giorgio) his wife of 57 years; his daughters, Mary Margaret Patterson and her husband Ross, Donna Marie Shelley and her husband Brian, and Doris Krupp; his grandchildren, Mark McDonough, Kayla McDonough, Joseph Patterson and his wife Heather, David Patterson and his wife Bree, Virginia Shelley, and John Shelley; and his great grandchildren Aiden McDonough and Ellie Patterson. A volunteer with Hereford and Jacksonville Fire Departments, he worked as a construction equipment mechanic at S.M. Christhilf; then Maryland Environmental Service Hart Miller Island; transferring to the Cockeysville recycling center as a truck driver; the final 10 work years as school bus driver for Baltimore County before retiring in 2018. He graduated Hereford High School in 1961. He enjoyed 32 years of sobriety actively participating and mentoring through the AA program; hobbies included model airplanes, fishing, gas and steam engines, wood working and many others. Public viewings will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at Hartenstein Funeral & Cremation Care, Inc., 24 N. Second St., New Freedom, PA, from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at Grace Fellowship Church Shrewsbury, 74 E. Forrest Ave. Shrewsbury, PA on Thursday, June 23, 2022 beginning at 2:00 pm. Interment will immediately follow in New Freedom Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hereford Volunteer Fire Company; 510 Monkton Rd, Monkton, MD 21111.