Reverend James Eugene "Gene" Hart

Reverend James E. "Gene" Hart, 90, passed away on January 5, 2019 at 1:15 a.m. in Illinois Veterans Home in Anna, IL. He is home now in Heaven rejoicing and celebrating with His Savior and loved ones. He was born, August 10, 1928, eldest of 12 children born to James and Edna (Krueger) Hart in Jerseyville, IL. Gene is survived by daughter, Sandra (Glen) Gibbons of Marion; son, Brent (Deena) Hart of Tamms; son-in-law, Tim Hendershott of Cape Girardeau, MO; granddaughters, Stephanie (Dan) Little of Marion, Alexis (Micah Sardell) Gibbons of Eugene, OR and Ella Grace Hart of Tamms; grandsons, Clinton Hendershott of Jackson, MOand Kirk (Trisha) Hendershott of Unionville, MO; great-grandchildren, Haydan and Haylee Little, Caedan Hendershott, Konner and Kellan Hendershott; sisters, Marcella (Dale) Lance of McLeansboro, Marcia Dee Moore of Carrollton, GA, Donna (John) Naas of McLeansboro, Joyce (Kent) Ewing of Granite Canon, WY, and Linda Trommer of Plymouth, MI; brothers, Richard (Phyllis) Hart of Fulton, KY and Larry (Dixie) Hart of Livingston, MT; brother-in law, Robert Leeof McLeansboro, and sister-in-law, Mary Hart of Cheyenne, WY; plus many nieces and nephews and members of his wife's family. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Maudie Lou; daughter, Debra Lynn Hendershott, infant twin sons, Wendell Dean and Randell Gene Hart; sisters, Shirley Lee and Barbara Sue Hart; brothers, Edward Hart and Marvin Lee Hart; brothers-in-law, Jack Moore and Paul Trommer. Being the eldest, Gene took on many responsibilities and chores as a young boy. At age 7, he was hunting for food with his gun. At age 9, his dad would drop him off to plow a field with a horse on 100 acres on his Grandma Brake's place. His dad would then work construction for a $1/hr. Before age 12, he would drive a team of horses pulling a wagon to Dahlgren with cream, eggs and his Mom's grocery list. He attended grade school near Dahlgren in a one room schoolhouse and Hamilton County High School and then later attended and graduated from Clarke Memorial College, Newton, Mississippi in 1964. In 1950 Gene was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. One defining moment with the possibility of not coming home alive, he made his peace with His Savior and accepted Jesus as Lord of his life. The Army processed him at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and was then transported to Camp Carson, CO for Basic Training. He was placed in the 222 Ordinance Medium Maintenance Company. He shipped out to Japan and served there from 1951 to 1952. He returned to the U.S. and was discharged from the Army. Gene was a hardworking man and held many jobs over the span of his life. He worked for the Soo Line Railroad out of Chicago, IL. He worked on buildingthe Joppa Power Plant. He served as an ordained minister from 1956 until 2009 and then continued to supplyin various southern Illinois churches. He was a 52 year member of the Laborers' International Union of North America and retired as mason's assistant for Rathert Masonry. In 1954 he met Maudie Lou Clinton and married her in January 1955. Hesurrendered toThe Gospel Ministry and was ordainedon October 10, 1956 at Lake Milligan Baptist Church, Miller City, IL. During his ministry he pastored at Unity Baptist Church, Unity (May 1957-December 1959), Millcreek Baptist Church, Mill Creek (January 1960-August 1961), Rock Branch Baptist Church, Union, Mississippi (February 1962-May 1964), Immanuel Baptist Church, Cobden (May 1964-February 1972), First Baptist Church, Tamms (February 1972-October 1985), New Hope Baptist Church, Buncombe (January 1986-April 1992), and Lockard Chapel Baptist Church, Jonesboro(May 1992-October 2009). He was a beloved husband, brother, Dad and Pappa. His service to the southern Illinois area has touched many lives and he will be deeply missed by family and friends. Today you read that Gene Hart is dead. Don't you believe it! At this moment he is more alive than ever. He has gone higher...His physical birth in 1928 and his Spiritual birth in 1951. "That which is born of the flesh may die; that which is born of the Spirit will live forever." We pray you are ready to live forever with the Lord Almighty! Funeral services for Rev. Gene Hart will be on Saturday, January 19 at 12:00 p.m.in the Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Interment will be in Green Lawn Cemetery in Villa Ridge. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.on Saturday, Jan. 19 in Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Please send your memories and storiesin lieu of flowers to www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna. Envelopes will be available in Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home. Visitation Service Saturday, January 19, 2019,10:00AM-12:00PM Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Homes 301 West Spring Street Anna, Illinois 62906 Memorial/Funeral Service Saturday, January 19, 2019,12:00PM Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Homes 301 West Spring Street Anna, Illinois 62906 Cemetery Service Saturday, January 19, 2019,1:15PM Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Rt. 51 South Villa Ridge, Illinois 62996