Roger T.  "Cooter" Hartman

Roger T. "Cooter" Hartman 64, of DeKalb, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb. He was born August 18, 1961, in Peoria, IL and was the son of Richard Lee and Allegra Marie (Hessling) Hartman.

He was a proud graduate of DeKalb High School's Class of 1979. For more than 15 years, he worked as a glazer with DeKalb Contract Glazing, later continuing his hardworking spirit at DeKalb Fiber Optic/Syndeo as an installer.

He married the love of his life, Carol F. Tallent, on March 13, 2018, a love story that began on a Friday the 13th in 1981 during a blind date that changed both of their lives forever.

Roger lived his life to the fullest with passion and joy. He loved snowmobiling, boating, golfing, and cruising in his 1973 Corvette (AKA Misbehavin), which he and his friends proudly restored together. He found happiness in cooking for Carol, and enjoyed watching football; cheering on Da Bears and NIU Huskies attending NIU coach's meetings weekly with his good friend Dan Halverson. Watching late model racing, and spending time up north at his cabin, "his happy place," a place he poured his heart into and loved to work on and enjoy with all of his good friends.  He also had a deep love for his cats, Phantom and Raptor, who brought him constant comfort, companionship, and laughter.

Saturdays at Sully's were a tradition he cherished. He valued every moment spent with friends, helping them with their race cars, cheering them on at the track, and sharing in the laughter and stories that filled those days. Roger made friends wherever he went. His warm spirit, kindness, and genuine love for people created a circle of friendships that will never be forgotten.

He touched many lives, and his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Survivors include wife, Carol of DeKalb, sister; Patricia (Gary) Hiland of DeKalb, brothers; Steve Hartman of Waterloo, WI, Tom (Cathy) Hartman of DeKalb, and Doug Hartman of Montgomery, IL. Mother-in-law Jeanette Tallent, several nieces and nephews and sister in law Annie Kordesh. Special friends Tom (Sharon Burke) Newquist and Dave "Otis" (Sally) Williams of Texas, along with a whirlwind of many more friends. His two beloved cats, Phantom and Raptor. He was preceded in death by his parents, his angel (sister) Rebecca, brother Ken, father-in-law; Francis Tallent, and sister-in-law, and his favorite cat Sabor.

Celebration of life will be held on Sunday, December 21, 2025, from 3:00pm-6:00pm with a half-time toast at 4:30pm at the DeKalb Elks Lodge 209 S Annie Glidden Rd DeKalb. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the family to be established at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.