Kenneth R. "Ken" Hart

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ross R. and Reba (Besanceney) Hart and one sister, Joan Whitesel Bollman.

Ken was survived by his wife of 63 years, Judith A. (Nevlida) Hart; his children, Kevin R. Hart (Karen) of Peoria, IL, Julia A. Gil (Francisco) of Edgewood, KY, and Jenita K. Wolcott (Christopher) of Brimfield, IL; eight grandchildren, Joseph (Hannah) Gil, Kaytlin Post, Christian (Sammy) Gil, Kaleb Hart, Ethan (Trystin) Gil, Kristyn Hart, Ashley Wolcott and Dakoda Wolcott; one great grandson, Giovanni Gil; four sisters, Betty Baylis, Kathy Carter, Barb (Dale) Bollman and Judy Clauson; and many nieces and nephews.

Born in Litchfield, Illinois, Ken came to Peoria with his parents and sisters in 1956. He graduated from Woodruff High School and Brown’s School of Business before marrying Judy and being drafted into the military as a company clerk from 1962 to 1964. Upon returning to Peoria, Ken joined the family at Caterpillar, Inc. from where he retired in 1998 from the Mossville Engine Division. Ken was later a security personnel at the Peoria Regional Airport.

Some of Ken’s favorite activities over the years were when he served as a Cub Scout Master for Troop 140 for three years, as a Fund Raising Chair for the Woodruff Band Parents’ fund, assisted Judy and his sister Barb with their Trophy Shop (First Place Trophies), assisted with Geppeddo and Dee’s dolls in Northwood’s Mall, and lately where he served as Treasurer for his Sunday School Class, Together in Christ, at Grace Presbyterian Church.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on October 11, 2025 at Grace Presbyterian Church Chapel with Rev. John Hopwood officiating; visitation two hours prior.

Memorial donations can be made to Grace Presbyterian Church and Richard L Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.