Dawn Hart

There are countless words to describe Dawn Hart as she was an extraordinary woman to know and love. She was loving and compassionate, hardworking and gracious, but perhaps the word that paints the most accurate picture of Dawn is the word caretaker. She was a caretaker and a nurturer from the time she was a young girl, and from the moment her miracle baby, Amanda, entered her life she was filled with unspeakable joy. Life was not without times of challenge for Dawn, but she was filled with a quiet strength that was an inspiration to all who knew her. Life will never be the same without her here, but the memories she leaves behind will never be forgotten.

The 1960s were an eventful time in American history. We elected the young John F. Kennedy as our 35th President of the United States, only to mourn his death as a nation a short time later. Civil rights soared to new heights, and although Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his message of equality in peace it was not always echoed in the same peaceful manner. Amidst this time of great transformation there was much to celebrate in the lives of a young couple from Coldwater, Michigan, as they were pleased to announce the birth of their new baby girl on November 8th, 1964.

Dawn was the fourth of five children born to her parents, Jerry and Charlotte (Sims) Bowen, and she was raised in the family home alongside her older siblings, Jerry, Darlene, and Pamelia, and her younger sister, Sandy. Her father worked in a shoe factory while her mother was a homemaker. Dawn could often be found tagging along after her brother, following him places like the park and to baseball games. She attended schools locally and played softball while in school. When Dawn was 15 she moved to California with her mother. She went on to graduate from Calvary Road Christian Academy in 1982. Her brother, Jerry, was an associate pastor out in California, and Dawn began attending services at his church. Dawn’s mother died when Dawn was in her early twenties, and her father married Patricia in 1986. In her mother’s absence, Dawn became the glue that held them all together, keeping track of what all her brothers and sisters were doing. She saw to it that they stayed connected, too.

In 1983 Dawn moved to Plainwell, Michigan, where she lived with her sister. One evening the sisters went out to the Garden Lounge in Plainwell, which was the only place with a live band. After commenting that there were no open seats, Dawn was invited to sit on the lap of a young man named Joe Hart. Sparks flew right from the start, and the couple continued to date for two years. They were united in marriage on July 27, 1985, deeply in love. In 1990 Dawn and Joe were blessed with the birth of Amanda, whom Dawn affectionately referred to as their miracle baby.

Being a mother seemed to be a role that was tailor made just for Dawn. She was like a second mother to all of her daughter’s friends, and she coached her daughter’s cheerleading team as well. Vacations were primarily spent at home since they had wonderful land with a pool and frequently had cookouts while Amanda also had sleepovers. Dawn and Joe also took Amanda to places like Michigan Adventure and Six Flags Great America. Just last March they took a trip to California and Las Vegas in addition to spending time at a cabin up North.

Although her family was her main focus Dawn also kept busy with other things. She worked in a few different places including Bill Knapp’s when she was first married. Dawn later worked at Harding’s Bakery and a few other places before settling in at Perrigo for a time. After taking some time off she later went back to Harding’s and then worked in dispatch for Mobile Medical. Dawn was an animal lover throughout her life beginning from the time she had a poodle named Suzy Q when she was a young girl. During her adult years she enjoyed the companionship of her dog, Jazzy, and Amanda also had a dog named Bubba. Around home she loved baking, and she was also into crafts and had a craft night once a week for a time. She also enjoyed spending girls overnights with her closest girlfriends along with her sister Pam. And mini getaways with her girlfriends. Tanning was something she loved. When Lighthouse Baptist Church was established, Dawn became a member while her brother was the pastor. Reading her Bible was another one of her favorite activities.

Life became more difficult for Dawn and her loved ones when she was diagnosed with an incurable disease in 2006. It was not easy for her, but she learned to walk and talk again, a truly courageous woman through and through.

All who knew Dawn Hart would agree that she was one of the sweetest people around. She was fun, loving, and warm toward others with a heart that beat to care for her family. Dawn was the sort of person who never told anyone “no,” and she would do whatever she could to help others. Taken from her loved ones too soon, she will be dearly missed while her memory remains forever near and dear to the hearts of her friends and loved ones.

Dawn Hart, of Martin, died on August 19, 2013. Dawn’s family includes her husband, Joe; daughter, Amanda; step daughter, Angela; step granddaughter, Krystal; parents, Jerry and Pat; siblings: Jerry (Catherine) Bowen, Darlene (William) Dennis, Pamelia Bowen, Sandy Bowen; adopted brother, Zachary; and several nieces and nephews. Dawn was preceded in death by her mother, Charlotte, and her nephew, Zachary. Visit with her family and friends on Sunday, August 25 from 4:30-7:00 at the Lighthouse Baptist Church; 12220 Cressey Rd. Plainwell (269 664-3229). A funeral will be held on Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the same location. Please visit Dawn’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo and sign her memory book online before coming to the service. Memorial donations can be made to The Lighthouse Baptist Church.