Ronnie J Hart

PEKIN~ Ronnie Joe Hart, 65 of Pekin passed away at 1:29 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at OSF St. Francis in Peoria.

Born October 24, 1948 in Peoria to Carl F. and LaVerne (Scheeler) Hart, he married Peggy Greer in 1971.  He later married Gayle Benassi on December 1, 1979 in Pekin.  She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Tonya Hart of East Peoria; three sons, Chris (Shannon) Hart, Gabriel (Ann) Hart and Adam (Stephanie) Hart, all of Pekin; nine grandchildren, Derrick McGee of Peoria, Jerome Wilson III of East Peoria, Brayden, Sarah, Annabelle, Kahlena, Emmerie, Lilleny and Merciana Hart, all of Pekin; three brothers, Richard (Carlene) Hart of Yates City, Robert (Sue) Hart of Haleyville, AL, Gary Hart of Pekin; four sisters, Anna (Lloyd) Green of Waynesville, MO, Bonnie (Jerry) Guengerich of Pekin, Karen Fall of Selma, NC, Darlene Hart of Pekin; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and one sister.

He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.

Ronnie worked for Vuteq Corporation in Normal, last working in March, 2005.  He had previously worked for Morton Metalcraft in Morton and Louis Dreyfus Grain Elevator in Pekin.

He had been a member of Pheasants Forever.

Ronnie was a devoted father and grandfather who loved being with his grandchildren, giving them tractor rides and entertaining them with his unique sense of humor.  He also enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's sporting events and taking his family hunting, fishing, and vacationing in Wisconsin.  Ronnie had a talent for building and repairing almost anything.

There will be a Celebration of Life service at 6 p.m. Friday, June 20, 2014 at Driven Church, First Assembly of God, 1209 N. Parkway Dr., Pekin. The family will receive visitors from 4 to 5:45 p.m. at the church.  Rev. David Carrington will officiate. Burial of ashes will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2014 in Zion Evangelical United Methodist Church Cemetery in rural Groveland.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

To honor Ronnie’s love of hunting, the family has requested camouflage be worn at the gathering.

Memorials may be made to his family to assist with expenses.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com