Jaden James Hartmann, lovingly known as Jay, passed away on September 18, 2026. Born on February 29, 2004, Jay was a beloved son, brother, fiancé, grandson, nephew, friend, and so much more to the people fortunate enough to know and love him.

Jay was a true Pisces, raised by a little bit of Scorpio—a combination that perhaps explains the depth, intensity, and uniqueness that made him who he was. He was an old soul with a brilliant, philosophical mind. He was incredibly logical, always thinking, questioning, analyzing, and trying to understand the world around him. Beneath his logical mind was an enormous heart. Jay saw people. He felt what they felt. He cared deeply. His “I love you” were genuine, and when he apologized, his apologies came from the heart. And, he gave the best hugs. Jay was not someone who could ever be summed up in a few simple words. He was thoughtful, complicated, funny, stubborn, loving, intensely curious, and uniquely himself. He had a mind that never seemed to stop and a heart that felt more than most people knew.

Jay’s passion was gaming. Rumor has it he was born with a headset on. Gaming was more than a pastime for Jay—it was a world where his imagination, creativity, and incredible mind could come alive. He was especially proud of the game he was developing, Project M, a project that represented his creativity and vision. He poured himself into this and took great pride in it. His friends in the gaming community will see this project comes to fruition.

Jay’s love for animals was unmatched. His best bud, Chiefy Cat, held a very special place in his heart. The love Jay gave to animals was just another reflection of his kindness that lived beneath his thoughtful and sometimes wonderfully complicated exterior.

Jay was working toward his Associate’s degree in Automotive Technology at Luzerne County Community College, while also working full time as a vinyl installer Catalyst Wraps, Mountaintop, keeping his mind and hands at work, building his future.

Jay will be deeply missed by his mother and stepfather Tracy and Travis Buchanan; brother Ben Hartmann and Ben’s fiancé Marie Andrews; sister Adrianna Buchanan; his fiancé Vie Wiles; favorite cousins Taylor Urbanski, Steven Urbanski, and Emma Diano; Aunts and Uncles Tammy and Bob Knell, Steven and Leslie Fogle, Heather and Jeff Diano; Grandparents Steve Fogle, Joseph and Pauline Hartmann; along with extended family, and many friends who loved him.

He leaves behind not only memories, but pieces of himself in everyone who loved him—in the conversations that will be remembered, the laughter that will never be forgotten, and in every genuine “I love you” that now carries his voice with it.

Jay was one of a kind. And he will be loved, missed, and remembered for the rest of our lives.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, 530 West Main Street, Plymouth.

Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday from 5 p.m. until funeral time at the S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, Plymouth.