Ottumwa, Iowa - John Marvin Hart, 82, of Ottumwa, died at 4:35 a.m. May 19, 2026 at his home.

He was born March 17, 1944 in Ottumwa to William Marvin and Mary Maxine Tyrrel Hart. John married Mary Mardell Robertson on June 5, 1965.

A 1962 graduate of Blakesburg High School, John served 4 years with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.

John worked for Northwestern Bell, Qwest, US West and Century Link, retiring as installation repairman supervisor in 2002.

He was a member of O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion and an honorary member of Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a manager for 42 years for the American Legion Baseball of Ottumwa and was honored by having the American Legion ball field named after him.

Surviving is his wife, Mary; their sons, Jeffrey Shawn (Penny) Hart of Ames and Nathan Todd (Jennifer) Hart of Leech Lake, MN; 5 grandchildren, Ezra, Amos, Roman, Zachary and Robert; 2 sisters, Judith (Rex) Buethe of Stockton, CA and Jane Hart of Los Cruces, NM.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

His body has been cremated. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday May 26th at Reece Funeral Home with Chaplain Doug McAntire officiating. Family will be present to greet friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery with military honors conducted by O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion and Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Memorials may be made to Ottumwa American Legion Baseball.