Thomas Allen Hart, 82, of St. Francisville, Illinois, finished his journey on Earth on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, Indiana. He was born on April 23, 1942 in Manteno, Illinois, the son of George W. and Inez (Bell) Hart. Tom married Carolyn Patterson on June 12, 1966 in Mt. Vernon, IL and together they enjoyed fifty-seven years of marriage centered around their family.
Tom attended St. Francisville grade school and high school before he went to Mount Carmel High School where he graduated in 1960. He went to Oakland City University and Southern Illinois University where he graduated in 1965 with his Bachelors in Zoology. Tom enjoyed teaching science at St. Anne IL High School, Cathlamet WA Junior High and Mount Carmel High School until his retirement in 2000. In his free time, he spent many years coaching basketball, softball and little league.
Tom loved attending Church at First General Baptist Church in Mount Carmel where he taught Sunday School. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, woodworking and traveling to visit friends and family. He also looked forward to having breakfast with other retired colleagues and seeing former students while eating at Taco Tierra. Tom was loved by many and will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Tom will be remembered by his loving wife, Carolyn; children, Abigail Hart of St. Francisville, IL, George P. (Hanna) Hart of Elizabeth, IN, and Kenneth P. (Antonette) Hart of IL; grandchildren, Avery Stone, Liam Hart, Elijah Hart, and Kendall Hart; great granddaughter, Marley Mattingley; sister Janet (JD) Miller of Clermont, FL; nieces and nephews, Scott Franks, Elizabeth (Michah) Nordquist, Thomas (Tiffany) Franks, Adam (Yorlene) Hart, and Ryan (Liz) Hart. He will also be remembered by Edward (Aubrey) Leung who Tom was like a father figure to and Riley and Brady Hershey who lovingly referred to Tom as Popa.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Phillip (Myrna) Hart.
A Memorial Service will be at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 30, 2024, in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Underwood officiating. A Private Family Burial will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery in St. Francisville, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s memory to First General Baptist Church, Lawrence County Humane Society or to the Palestine Masonic Lodge Blue Bear Program. Envelopes will be at the funeral home or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Tom’s tribute wall and leave condolences for the Hart family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com
