Joe Hart

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Joseph A Hart, 90, of Pittsburg, KS passed away Sunday June 9, 2024, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born May 9, 1934, in Richmond, KS the son of George and Hilda (Roeckers) Hart.

He attended the West Scipio one room schoolhouse through 8th grade. Joe’s claim to fame was that he was the class valedictorian every year, being the only student in his grade level. He graduated from Richmond High School in 1952. 

He worked for a year and then served our country proudly in the US Army, based at Ft. Richardson in Alaska. Upon completion of his military service, he attended college at St. Benedict’s in Atchison, Kansas and graduated from Kansas State Teacher’s College in 1959.
Joe was married to the love of his life, Sally M. Hart at Our Lady of Lourdes on September 26, 1959. She preceded him in death in October 2023. Joe and Sally’s marriage was characterized by love, a deep faith, and unending devotion to one another and their family.

Joe joined Northwestern Mutual Life in June of 1959 and retired from his position on May 31, 2024, after 65 years of loyal service. He was an active member of the Kansas Association of Life Underwriters, serving as the director and building fund member, as well as the State President. He impacted thousands of individuals and families through his commitment to his career. He considered himself very fortunate to have been in the business for so many years doing something he truly enjoyed.

Joe was a 65-year member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg. He enjoyed active membership throughout the years serving as a lay Eucharistic minister, a lector, and a member of the Church Council. He was a faithful member of the Knights of Columbus, a third-degree Knight who was instrumental in assisting with fundraising to support seminarians. He was also a member of the St. Mary’s/Colgan Home and School Association, School Board, and served as the Booster Club president. 

Joe was also a constant supporter of the St. Pius X Newman Center at Pittsburg State University where he and his wife met and were active participants in college and throughout their lives. He chaired the campaign to rebuild the Newman Center in 2022 yet another demonstration of his commitment to helping others and moving the Church to greater things. He loved serving his parish, working with the Newman Center, practicing reading with children at the school, giving stewardship talks at the church with his wife, and sharing his Catholic faith with others.

One of Joe’s great passions was serving the community of Pittsburg. He was a past president of the following organizations: Pittsburg Rotary Club, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Red Cross Board, Salvation Army Board, YMCA Board of Directors, PSU Alumni Association, American Cancer Society, St. Mary’s/Colgan School Board, United Way Board, Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas, PSU Foundation Board, and the PSU Athletic Drive. He thrived by investing in the community of Pittsburg, planning Christmas Party’s for the Salvation Army, serving as a 5-year team captain for “Relay for Life”, and dressing up as Santa Claus for schools, parties, and hospital patients. Joe lived his life in service to others with kindness to all, embodying his belief that there are so many kind people in this world if you take the chance to go out and meet them.

His lifetime of service earned him many honors and awards over the years, most notably: the 1995 Spirit of Pittsburg Award, the 1999 Kansas Association of Life Underwriters Man of the Year, the 2010 YMCA Volunteer of the Year, and member of the Pittsburg Family YMCA Hall of Fame, 2019 PSU Distinguished Service Award, and induction as a life member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board after 15 years of service.

While he was well known to all, served the community in countless ways, and was consistently known for his selfless spirit, Joe’s family was the most important and enjoyable part of his life. He could never have done the great work he did without his wonderful wife praying and sacrificing for him every day. He was always by Sally’s side and no matter how busy he was he rarely missed an opportunity to be with his children and grandchildren. Throughout his life, he was always most proud of his work as a husband, father, and grandfather.

Joe is survived by his sister Louise Miley, a daughter: Cindy (Terry Fleck) Shaffer of Asbury, MO; Brian (Susannah) Hart of Overland Park, KS, Pat (Meg Druyor) Hart of Denver CO; grandchildren: Bill Shaffer, Lauren (Parker) Stavens, Lindsey (Kyle) Lauterwasser, Izzy Hart; great grandchildren: Paxton and Lucy Stavens, and dozens of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his beloved son Joey Hart, his parents, brothers: Henry, Arnold, Raymond, and Louis, and sister: Dorothy Miller.

A Rosary will be recited at 6pm Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg where visitation will follow. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10am Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the church. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Fund and/or The PSU Joe and Sally Hart Athletic Scholarship fund through the PSU Foundation. Memorials may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS.

Joe will be remembered as a true gentleman who lived his life with profound joy, was devoted to his faith and family, and spent his life considering the needs of others before himself. Joe loved the community of Pittsburg, had a smile and a joke to share with everyone he met, never met a stranger, and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.