David Alan Hartwig

David Alan Hartwig, 85, of New Castle, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2026. On April 9, 1941, David was born in Cincinnati, OH, a son of the late Otto and Mary Jane Hartwig.

David attended Colerain High School before enlisting in the U.S. Navy on December 3rd, 1958. He earned his GED and completed training as a Fire Control Technician, serving aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard until 1962 and followed with another 2 years of service in the reserves.

David married the love of his life, Patricia Barber, on October 30, 1965. He worked as an apprentice electrician at Ellis and Watts, later earning his journeyman card. He then started his career in the automotive industry, going on to work at Fisher Body Chevrolet in Norwood, Ohio, until moving his family to New Castle in 1972, where he was employed at Chrysler as an electrician until being laid off in the early 1980s. Following his tenure at Chrysler, David then went on to work for Philco-Ford (later named Visteon) where he worked in the scroll department and even traveled to Portugal for training. In 1990, he earned an associate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. He retired in 2007, being the last electrician to leave the building when Visteon closed its doors.

David enjoyed many things in life, including riding motorcycles and dirt bikes with his son, and watching bike races with his son and grandson, Austin. A self-taught photographer, he focused on capturing those special moments of his family and the beauty of nature. David also taught himself how to work with and build computers, even building his very first one. He was a lifelong dedicated learner and always said “anything you learn isn’t wasted”. He loved crosswords, word searches, helping his family with difficult tasks, country music (especially George Jones), and working, no matter if it was for his career or at home. On May 2, 1991 David became a member of the Elks Lodge and is also a member St. Anne Catholic Church in New Castle. He was a very devoted and faithful Christian, reading his Bible every day.

Above all, David loved his family. He treasured time spent with his children and grandchildren, teaching, encouraging, and cheering them on in their activities. He instilled in them a strong work ethic, independence, and, most importantly, honesty.

David will be remembered for his wisdom, integrity, and devotion to family. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia (Barber) Hartwig; son, Michael (Michelle) Hartwig; daughter, Leslie (Jason) Edwards; granddaughters, Halle Wilson (Daniel Sheaman) and Karleigh Wilson (Johnny Hackett), Neriah (Taylor) Smith, Addy (Alex) Meiers; grandsons, Derek Davis (fiancé Leslie Edwards), Austin Hartwig; great-granddaughters, Marren and Ivy Smith.

In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Burton and Georeanna Barber, nephews Jeremy Barber and David Birch, nieces Pamela (PJ) Barber, Connie Davis, Caren Coleman, brothers-in law, Burton Barber Sr., Virgil Birch, Thomas Back, and sister-in-law Geraldine Birch.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Henry Community Health Homecare staff, especially, Melissa Chandler, Wendi Hileman-Shaffmaster-NP of Reid Pulmonology and New Castle Henry County EMS for all the wonderful care given to David during his time of need.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am Saturday, June 20, 2026 at St. Anne Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Anne Cemetery with military honors conducted by the New Caste American Legion/VFW and the US Navy. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Memorial contributions may be given in David’s memory to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/ways-to-give/ways-to-give . You may express condolences or share memories of David at www.hinsey-brown.com.