BENTON – Mrs. Carolyn Margaret Hart, age 93, of Benton, passed away at 8:01 a.m. Monday, January 27, 2025, at the Deaconess Midtown Hospital of Evansville, Indiana.
Carolyn was born on November 18, 1931, in Lincoln, Illinois, the daughter of Paul Coddington and Genevieve (Stufflebeam) Coddington.
She attended the University of Illinois where her family said she obtained her “MRS degree” on December 23, 1951, when she married Richard Odum Hart. Together they would share 67 years of marriage, until his death on March 12, 2018.
Mrs. Hart was the former owner and operator of Hart’s Gold Star Hallmark on the Benton Public Square, which was known for Hallmark cards, Mikasa Crystal, wedding registries, Hallmark ornaments, and Fannie May Candies.
She was also a former Cub Scout and Brownie’s Leader. She was a member of the First Christian Church and the Franklin Hospital Auxiliary both of Benton.
Carolyn enjoyed reading, spending time with her grandkids and great-grandkids, and cooking. She was known for her homemade toffee and peanut brittle. Her sons said she had her own style of fashion and design, and she always took good care of her husband.
Carolyn loved spending time enjoying the sunsets at her condominium in Gasparilla Island, Florida.
Surviving are her two sons, Murphy C. Hart and wife Jody of Benton and Paul R. Hart and wife Kim of Tampa, FL; three grandchildren, Ryan Hart of Dallas, TX, Caleb Hart of Benton, IL, and Ali Herndon and husband Dallas of Tampa, FL; three great-grandchildren, Ruby age 7, Bennett age 5 and Brooks age 3; and two beloved nieces, Cindy Beebe of Salt Lake City, Utah and Julie Fisher and husband Dan of Eagan, Minnesota.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, an infant daughter, Jennifer Hart; and a sister, Ruth Joan “Joie” (Coddington) Johnson.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, IL, with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Private family burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, IL. Visitation will be held from noon to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church or to the Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To give condolences online to the family, or to share memories of Carolyn, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.
