Project Access has lost its heart
Irma Jean Hartung's sudden passing leaves a hole in the community
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Irma Jean Hartung’s heart was so large it seemed impossible to fit inside her tiny frame. A fixture at local nonprofit Project Access, she spent her days connecting people in need with medical care at a reduced cost and walking people through the process for receiving Medicaid.
Literally, hundreds of Howard County residents have her to thank, in part, for their health, perhaps even their lives. Project Access is the vehicle by which local healthcare providers extend their generosity to the community through low-cost or no-cost treatment. And Irma was at the heart of the effort.
It was a shock to everyone when Irma passed away suddenly on Feb. 9. But her heart is still beating strong in the memories of those who knew and loved her.
The loss struck Cathy Stover. As the former executive director of Project Access, she spent years working alongside Irma in their mission to serve the community.
“Irma was a wonderful person and a great fit for Project Access,” said Stover. “Irma loved helping people and was at her happiest moments when she met their needs. She was kind and truly cared about people in general.
“Irma was very passionate about Project Access and the work she did there. Irma always had a way of making people feel special when working with them, and their needs were her top priority. Irma touched the lives of so many families, friends, clients, and acquaintances. She will truly be missed by so many people in so many ways. Until we meet again, my friend.”
Irma was born on Aug. 10, 1962, and married Richard Hartung on July 28, 2008. She was a 1981 graduate of Western High School and a 2004 graduate of Indiana University Kokomo. She worked as a case manager for the Family Service Association, Rest Care, Four County, Lifeline, as well as Project Access. Her entire career was focused on connecting people to much-needed services.
Jill Snyder, the most recent executive director of Project Access who retired at the end of 2023, relied heavily upon Irma’s experience and skills to keep the nonprofit running.
“Irma and I worked together as coworkers for over a year,” said Snyder. “Irma was a hard worker and went beyond her job to assist people with problems. I will miss her laughter and funny jokes. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren.
“We spent time figuring out different entertainment places to go and how to get there. If someone needed help outside of work, it did not bother her to use her free time to help. Rest in Peace, Irma. You deserve it.”
Irma didn’t have much idle time. Once she finished her case management work, she would strap on her apron and put on a hairnet to serve meals through Rozzi’s Catering. And when the Indian Heights community undertook neighborhood projects, she was quick to volunteer.
Still, she had time to go thrift shopping and hunt down bargains at garage sales. And she had even more time for her children, Brandon Thompson, David Aldrich, and Katie Aldrich, and her grandchildren Bradley, Brenden, Leland, Kory, Carson, Shelby, and Serinity. Her second family received her love as well. Adam, Chris, and Rhandall Hartung will notice the absence of her heart in their daily lives.
The larger community will miss Irma as well. With her passing, Project Access is scrambling to find someone to occupy the huge gap this little woman left behind. Shortly before she passed, Irma contributed a last piece to her legacy by recruiting Jessica Calderon to Project Access’ board of directors.
The two were personal friends, and Calderon hopes that she can live up to Irma’s example as she begins her service to the nonprofit.
“(Irma) was truly an amazing person with her tiny physique and her ginormous heart!” said Calderon. “I remember one Sunday morning talking to her over the phone, and during our conversation I told her that someone had stolen my spare key from under my door mat the night before. Well, that was all she needed to hear. She sprang into action!
“She hollered to her husband and said ‘Get your keys, and let’s go. We need to help Jessica!” In less than two hours they showed up at my house, and her husband changed my locks. This is just one of the many caring acts she did with the help of her husband, who would go along with her plans. She will be deeply missed.
“I am excited to be joining Project Access as a board member, and I look forward to helping steer the program so that it can continue to be a great resource to people in our community.”
Contributions may be made to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home to assist the family with final expenses or in Irma’s memory to Project Access. Condolences may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
I don’t know Irma, but she certainly is an amazing example for all of us. Praying peace and comfort for her family.