Roger P. Hart

With great sadness we announce the passing of Roger Paul Hart of Virginia Beach, Virginia at the age of 83. After a gallant battle with an extended illness Roger passed away at home on July 28, 2024. 

A memorial service will be held at the Hurst Funeral Home, La Salle, Illinois on September 28, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Immediately following the gathering Roger will be laid to rest with his beloved wife Teri at Oakwood Cemetery in La Salle.

Roger was born on February 24, 1941, in LaSalle, Illinois to the late Paul J. Hart and Rose Kowalski Hart. Roger graduated from La Salle Peru High School in 1959. After graduation he enlisted in the National Guard and served for six years. He worked as a printing press operator at the La Salle News Tribune and then started his own business in home remodeling until he finally settled in as a heavy equipment operator on the Tabor Grain docks of the Illinois River until he retired.

Roger loved to bowl; he rolled two three hundred games and won several high roller awards throughout his life. He also enjoyed fishing, as well as visiting with the locals around the various eating and drinking establishments in and around LaSalle. It was through bowling that he met his wife and love of his life, Teri Demes Hart. They married in 1974 and had many wonderful years together. The two of them enjoyed a full life together bowling, remodeling their home, building their deck, traveling to Las Vegas, eating out and spending time with family and friends. When Teri passed in the year 2000 it was too painful for Roger to bowl, so he gave the sport up at the top of his game. 

Roger moved to Virginia Beach shortly after Teri’s passing and became a jack of all trades around the Varney household. The grandkids affectionately referred to him as “Grumps” because of his gruff demeanor, which really didn’t cover his soft heart and playful disposition. While in Virginia Beach, Roger loved to help around the house, taxi his granddaughter around townbefore and after she had her license, exercise in the community pool, and frequent the theaters and local restaurants. He also truly enjoyed cutting the lawn on his riding mower. The Varney’s were the envy of the neighborhood who watched Roger keep the family lawn in pristine condition. He was a good neighbor and was always quick with a wave and a smile. He will be missed by all for his helpful and caring spirit. 

Roger is preceded in death by his mother, Rose; father, Paul; and wife Teri. Roger is survived by his only daughter Janise Marie Varney and son-in-law Wayne Alan Varney; his grandsonSpencer George Varney (Nan); his granddaughter Dr. Noelle Alise Varney, and his sister Diane Romano of Princeton, IL.

The family would especially like to recognize the staff at the Brock Cancer Center, Norfolk, Viginia, and the oncology unit staff at Virginia Beach General Hospital for their endearing support and care provided to Roger while he fought his illness. 

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