Larry D. Hart

Larry Donald Hart, 78, of Rockford, passed away on March 21, 2025, at UW Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. He was born on December 29, 1946, in Rockford, the son of Donald and Dorothy (Hoffman) Hart. Larry grew up on a farm and found his passion for International Harvester Tractors. He attended Belvidere High School. He married his true love, Valerie Scudder on August 8, 1970, at St. James Church in Rockford, Illinois, and together had 3 beautiful daughters. Larry proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed overseas in Dexheim, Germany. He worked as a journeyman for the Electrical Workers IBEW before transferring to the Winnebago County Highway Department, where he retired in 2010 after 25 years.

Larry had a love for working and driving old cars. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and riding in his jeep while listening to oldies music. He was a loyal fan of the Chicago Bears, even when he didn’t want to admit it. Larry was a humorous, strong and selfless husband, dad, and grandpa, known to those close to him as their superhero.

He is survived by those who loved him most, the love of his life, Valerie; daughters, Kristi Hart, Andrea (Michael) Sapron, and Laura (Kristopher) Johnson; beloved grandchildren, Seth Lawrence, Matthew Aaron, Olivia Jane, Jillian Christy, and Camden Kenneth; sisters, Susan (Gary) Somerville and Debbie (John) Jeanmaire; and special friends, Larry (Sharon) Knoll and Mario (Janie) DeCastris.

A special thank you to Josh Richards for his gift of organ donation and his amazing family Jackie and Mike Pische for their son’s lung donation to Larry.

A Funeral Mass will be on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Avenue Loves Park, IL 61111. A visitation will be prior to Mass starting at 9:30 a.m. Military honors will preceed the service with a luncheon in the church hall to follow. Private family burial will be in Monroe Center Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Donate Life of America or UW Organ & Tissue Donation. Cremation rites have been accorded. Please share memories and condolences online.