Dean Hart

Visitation: Friday, June 26, 2009 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Vigil Service: Friday, June 26, at 7:00 p.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City.

Funeral Service: Saturday, June 27, at 11:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Graveside Service: Custer County Cemetery.

Dean Douglas Hart, alias Deano, Doug, the silver-haired fox, died tragically in an automobile accident on June 22, 2009.

Dean was born January 26, 1951, in Circle, Mont., the ninth of thirteen children born to Vernon E. Bud and Doris (Lauer) Hart. He attended schools in Circle through his high school years. He worked in Miles City at Gierke Distributing and an auto parts store.On August 21, 1976, he married a Circle girl, Ellen Kuckler. They made their home in Miles City where Dean worked at L.P. Anderson Supply Co. He then began a 25-year career with the Montana Department of Transportation, retiring in 2007. Most recently he very much enjoyed his part-time driving position with Coach America Express Shuttle.

He and his wife enjoyed presenting Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends spanning over a 13-year period. He was active in his church as usher, Eucharistic minister, and helped with Search weekends for high school teens. He enjoyed fellowship and work projects as a member of the Knights of Columbus. Over the past year his Alcoholics Anonymous support group was central to his life.Dean was rarely seen without a cup of coffee in his hand, and truly loved to play solitaire with his many decks of cards. He and Ellen enjoyed dancing, and waltzes were a favorite for him. He cherished all time spent with his family and friends, especially his three children, Stephanie, Jeremy and Cindy. He was looking forward to the 10th Hart Family Reunion this July. Dean was quite the storyteller, and one could never be certain if a bit of exaggeration might be part of the story. The twinkle in his eyes above his ear-to-ear smile brought life to many stories and encounters. He is well remembered for his patience, gentleness and willingness to help others. He was known for many years throughout the neighborhood as Mr. Fix It. This included vehicle repairs, plowing snow with the 4 Wheeler, and patching innumerable bicycle tires. Whether working on projects in the house or garage, his meticulous attention to detail demonstrated his respect for hard work and his care for his loved one's.

He is preceded in death by his parents and a very special brother, Chuck. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Ellen, of Miles City; his children, Stephanie Hart of St. Cloud, Minn., Jeremy Hart (and friend Becky Bedosky) and Cindy Hart (and friend Dan Anderson) of Miles City; his brothers and sisters, Patrick (Donna), Gordon (Shari), Mary Alice (Bob Hinnaland), Leo (Linda), Dick, Mike (Patty), Paul (Iris), James, Cathy (Billy Hale), Jeannie and Larry. He is also survived by sister-in-law Jeannie, many special nieces and nephews and a multitude of extended family members.

Memorials are suggested to Knights of Columbus or Sacred Heart School.