Martha Jane Hart, age 85, of Monmouth, Illinois; passed away at 5:55 pm
on Wednesday August 11, 2021 at her home in Monmouth surrounded by her
family. Martha was born on February 6, 1936 in Monmouth, Illinois and is
the daughter of Maurice Benedict and Edna Margaret Doyle Lee. She was
raised in Little York where she attended school and she graduated from
Little York High School. Martha later married Merlyn W. Hart on August
2, 1958 in Monmouth, Illinois and he preceded her in death on August 18,
2020. Early on Martha worked as a secretary in the office at Formfit of
Monmouth. She then worked at Eagle Food Store in Monmouth as a checker.
Martha was also a teller at the National Bank of Monmouth for five
years, and lastly was a secretary for six years for the Warren County
Housing Authority in Monmouth until her retirement. She and Merlyn have
been long time members of Immaculate Conception Church of Monmouth and
it’s Altar and Rosary Society. She also was active on the church’s
bereavement committee. For a number of years she has volunteered as an
Election Judge for Warren county. She and Merlyn were also members of
the Maple City Street Machines and their yearly car show in Monmouth.
She loved to take care of her home and her flower garden. Martha loved
to travel and spend time with her children and grandchildren. Surviving
is one son, Greg (Stacie) Hart of Monmouth, Illinois, and three
daughters, Sherry (Thomas) Stephenson of Chandler, Arizona, Shelly
(Bill) Miller of Galesburg, Illinois, and Joni (Heather Kane) Hart of
Momence, Illinois. Eight grandchildren survive, Jennifer (Nick)
Potaczek, Abigail (Allonte) Shorter, Elizabeth Hart, Nicholas Hart,
Zachary Stephensen, Sydney Stephensen, Reily Kane, and Sydney Kane.
There are also eight great grandchildren surviving her. Martha has three
living sisters, Barbara Rascon of Huntingtown, Maryland, Edna Johnson of
Monmouth, Illinois, and Linda Libby of Galesburg, Illinois and two
brothers, Lawrence (Doris) Lee of Monmouth, Illinois and Edward (Cathy)
Lee of Little York, Illinois. She is preceded in her death by her
parents, husband, three brothers, and one sister.
A funeral mass is planned at 11:00 am on Monday morning at Immaculate
Conception Church of Monmouth, Illinois. A Rosary is to be recited at
the church at 10:30 prior to her Mass. Interment will be next to her
husband at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Monmouth following the mass.
Calling hours for the public to pay their respects to Martha will be at
Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00.
As Martha requested that there be no visitation, her family will not be
present at that time. Memorial funds have been established for either
Immaculate Conception Church or Hospice Compassus. To leave a
remembrance or for more information please visit
www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com
