Jerry Devon Hart, 72, of Hillsboro died April 3, 2018, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mr. Hart was a helicopter pilot who served in the U.S. Army for 13 years through the Vietnam War. He later worked on the Sky, Ski and Stage Show in Tennessee in his bubble copter, affectionately dubbed “Sarah,” and flew a traffic helicopter for the KMOX radio station in St. Louis. A longtime musician, he and his band, “Mostly Country,” played in many different places in the area, most recently weekly at the De Soto Community Center. He was a member of VFW Post 3777 and the Festus Church of the Nazarene, and liked fast cars and spending time with his family and friends. Born June 7, 1945, in Little Black, Ark., he was the son of the late June Lucinda (Spencer) and Claude Dawson Hart.
He is survived by his wife: Lois “Jean” (Nabors) Hart; two children: Dale Devon (Connie) Hart of St. Charles and Candice (John) Craig of Winchester, Ky.; three stepchildren: Don (Dena) Reddick of Bourbonnais, Ill., Randy (Kristine) Reddick of Bethalto, Ill., and Pennie Reddick-Craemer of Hillsboro; two sisters: Pat (Dion) Colbert of Calico Rock, Ark., and Gayla (Matthew) Dougan of Arkansas; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister: Kay Mullins.
A funeral service was held April 6 at Festus Church of the Nazarene, officiated by the Rev. Terry Simpkins. Burial was in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Arrangements were under the direction of Mahn Twin City Chapel in Festus.