Evelyn M. Hart

Evelyn M. Hart, 94, Woodstock, died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at Hearthstone Manor.

She was born Jan. 3, 1924, on Seneca Ridge Farm, the family farm on Perkins Road in rural Woodstock. She was the oldest of the three children born to August and Helena (Stake) Gerloff. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church and remained a member of St. John’s her entire life.

She attended Pleasant Ridge School and was a 1941 graduate of Woodstock High School. At graduation, she received the American Legion Award based on courage, honor, service, leadership and scholarship. She also received a scholarship to Northern Illinois State Teachers College, DeKalb, where she received her teaching degree in Rural Education in 1943. After graduation, she taught at Reed School and then Greenwood School, Woodstock.

On Aug. 31, 1946, she married Raymond J. Hart at St. John’s. After the wedding, they moved to Streator before returning to Woodstock to raise their family.

She worked as engineering secretary for 27 years at Woodstock Die Casting and its predecessors until retiring in 1989.

Throughout her life, she was very active at St. John’s Lutheran Church, serving as Sunday School teacher, in the hand bell choir, and various committees. During retirement, she enjoyed many trips with the Fun Timers as well as a trip to England. She also attended many of the Creative Living Series and summer music concerts in the city park. She was a long-time member of the Seneca Ladies Literary Society and enjoyed living at Hearthstone Manor since 2010.

Survivors include her children, Daniel (Linda Proudfit) Hart, Valparaiso, IN, Sharon (Glen) Richgels, Bemidji, MN, and Sandra (John) Hallman, Rockford; six grandchildren, Amber (Josh) Severson, Erin Richgels, Erik (Anna Lea) Richgels, Jason (Kristin) Hallman, Adam Hallman and Briana (Chad Keller) Hallman; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1979; a brother, Robert Gerloff; a sister, Ruth Hemmingsen Case; and her parents.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at  St. John’s Lutheran Church, 401 St. Johns Road. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hearthstone Communities or JourneyCare Hospice.