Joel (Jay) Donovan Hart, 76 Newton
Joel (Jay) Donovan Hart, 76, of Newton passed away Sunday, November 17, 2019
at his home in Newton, Illinois.
Funeral services celebrating Jay’s life will be held at 10:00 am Saturday,
November 23, 2019 at the First Baptist Church, Newton, with Rev. Steve Willis
officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 22
at the First Baptist Church. Burial will be in the West Lawn Memorial Park
Cemetery, Newton.
Born on August 15, 1943, in Robinson, Illinois, Jay was the son of Donovan and
Norma (Hancock) Hart. He married Debbie Meinhart on July 9, 2011, and she
survives. Jay graduated from Washington High School in Washington, Indiana, in
1961. He then graduated from Murray State College in 1965 with a bachelor’s
degree in English and history and later earned his master’s degree in administration
from Eastern Illinois University.
Jay began his teaching career in Pana, Illinois, in 1966. He continued teaching in
Olney and Clinton, Illinois before being hired by Jasper County Community Unit 1
in 1975. He served as principal at Newton Central until 1994 when he became
Assistant Superintendent for the district. He retired from JCCU 1 in 2003.
An avid golfer, he was a member of the original Jasper County Country Club for
many years. He enjoyed watching Cardinals baseball and Fighting Illini basketball
and football. He also loved attending the various activities of his grandchildren.
Jay will be loved and remembered by his son Lee (Mollie) Hart, Chicago, IL;
daughter Brooke (Tyler) Krauss, Belleville, IL; and adopted sons Wyatt Hart,
Overland, KS and Brady Hart, Springfield, MO. Also surviving are step-children
Michelle Meinhart, London, England, and Ross (Jennifer) Meinhart, Newton;
grandchildren Evan and Drew Hart and Lain and Dathan Krauss; step-grandchildren
Max, Isabel, and Scarlett Meinhart; and sister Susan Wonder, Tampa, FL.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Online condolences may be offered at www.crainfuneral.com.
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