Martha J. (Lee) Hart

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.

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