Joseph J. Hartmann, 95, formerly of Slatington and Bethlehem, died March 27, 2025, in Parkland Manor, where he resided.

Born in Walenstadt, Switzerland, he was the son of the late Alfred and Notburga (Buchmeier) Hartmann.

After graduation from high school, he enrolled in an apprenticeship for cooking at the Hotel Central in Zurich, Switzerland. He attended the Hotel and Restaurant Management School in Lausanne, Switzerland, for two years.

He and his then wife opened the Pension Landskron in Basel, Switzerland. From there, he moved to Holland and joined the Holland American Line for four years.

After immigrating to the United States in 1961 to the Philadelphia area, he became room service and banquet captain at the Barclay Hotel. He became the food and beverage director at the Philmont Country Club.

To broaden his knowledge of the American business style, he joined ARA, becoming the director of society catering under the Aramark division.

He relocated to the Lehigh Valley area with his partner, the late Richard W. Gemmel, and together, they opened, owned and operated the former Ballietsville Inn, a four-star restaurant for 25 years. He took the position of food and beverage director of Twin Lakes/Iron Lakes Country Club until his retirement in 2008.

He was a member of the Philadelphia Banquet Manager’s Guild and served three years as president of the Lehigh Valley Restaurant Association.

He was a member of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Whitehall.

He is survived by a daughter-in-law, Ruth of Switzerland; a granddaughter, Jessica Tanyia Hartmann of Switzerland; many nieces and nephews; and a friend, Edward J. Galgon Jr. and wife Jessica of Fleetwood.

He was predeceased by a son, Hans-Joerg L.; three brothers; nine sisters; and a business partner and friend, Dr. Richard W. Gemmel.

Contributions may be made to Family Pillar Hospice, c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, 18078-0196.

Arrangements were made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc.