He was a maintenance worker for the state of Illinois and a school bus driver for Dahlgren Schools.

Born September 16, 1926, son of the late Thomas and Hazel (Cox) Hart, he grew up and lived his entire life in Dahlgren, Illiois. On December 23, 1999, he celebrated his 55th wedding anniversary with his wife, Virginia Ruth (Clark), who surives him.

He attended Delafield Baptist Church, was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars 2761 in Benton and was a past Republican Precinct Committeeman.

He was a disabled World War II veteran.

Surviving are his wife, Virginia Ruth; three daughters, Diana Rose Reyling of Dahlgren, Cindy Behle of Marion and Leesa Schuster of McLeansboro; three sons, Russell Wayne and Thomas “Tee,” both of Dahlgren, and Michael Lee of Opdyke; two sisters, Madeline Parkhill of Dahlgren and Verla Anderson of Lexington; three brothers, Evan and Marshall “Red,” both of Dahlgren, and Kenneth of McLeansboro; and six grandchildren, Brandon Steven and Andrea Dyan Reyling, Melissa Lynn, Michael Adam and Christina Jane Hart and Reegan Scott Schuster.

Funeral services were at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 14, 2000, at Harre Funeral Home Dahlgren Chapel. Pastor Joe Nogalski and Brother Robert Sefried officiated. Burial was in Richardson Hill Cemetery near Dahlgren, with military rites by American Legion Post No. 106 of McLeansboro.

Memorial contributions may be made to Brownsville School.