Eugene Paul Hart

Eugene “Gene” Paul Hart, 84, of St. Joseph, MI passed away Sunday, June 29, 2014 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M.  Thursday, July 3, 2014 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph. Friends may visit Wednesday, July 2, 2014 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Those wishing to sign Gene’s guestbook may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Gene was born May 5, 1930 in Tiffin, OH to Allen C. & Esther R. (Davis) Hart. He was a graduate of Green Springs High School in 1947, where he earned the nickname “Prof.” In 1951 Gene joined the United States Army where he proudly served his country in the Korean War until being honorably discharged in 1953. On September 11, 1954 he wed Doris Burroughs in Clyde, OH. He worked as a systems analyst and supervisor at Whirlpool for 32 years, initially in Clyde. The Hart family moved to Baroda in 1963 and to St. Joseph in 1985. Gene was a member of the Stevensville American Legion Post 568 and a life time member of the NRA. He was an avid outdoorsman and reader, even reading the entire encyclopedia. Gene enjoyed flying and earned his solo certificate in 1975. Beginning in 1992, he devoted himself to caring for his grandchildren, who he felt gave his life a new purpose. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Doris; son Daniel (Cindy) Hart of Benton Harbor; daughter Cathy (Craig Steenbergh) Hart of Saugatuck; granddaughters Alana Caitlin Hart and Erin Paulina Hart; sister Joan Gillmor of Green Springs, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: Franklin Hart, Thomas Hart and Robert Hart.