Joel (Jay) Donovan Hart (76) of 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 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 at the 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; stepgrandchildren 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 by clicking here.