Eric Richard Hart

Eric Richard Hart, 34, formerly of Middlebury, passed away on Saturday, December 28, in Baghdad, Iraq due to a non-combat related injury. He was born on April 25, 1990, in Sturgis, MI, to Terry and Arlene (Astling) Hart. Surviving are his father & stepmother, Terry and Suzie Hart of Three Rivers, MI; mother, Arlene Hart of White Pigeon, MI; brother, Micheal Hart of Elkhart; sister, Jamie (Doug) Cole of Maysville, NC; two stepbrothers, Matthew (Megan) Stewart of Elkhart, Nathaniel (Jen) Stewart of Granger; five nephews, Aiden Cole, Owen Cole, Miles Stewart, Samuel Stewart, Silas Ferris ; three nieces, Kailyn Cole, Lillian Stewart, Gloria Stewart; grandparents, Jim and Ann Hart of Morrice, MI. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Charles Astling; grandmother, Donna Weinberg; uncle, Tom Astling.
Eric was an Army Captain, branched as a Logistics Officer in the Indiana Army National Guard. He was serving as part of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, with a previous deployment in 2019-2020 in support of Operation Spartan Shield in Saudi Arabia. During his time in the military, he completed the Quartermaster Officer Leadership Course as well as the Operational Contract Support Course. He received the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and Meritorious Unit Commendation, among other awards.
Before his time on active duty, he attended Ball State University and graduated with a degree in Business and Architecture. After graduating, he worked a civilian job at Camp Atterbury as well as for DHL. Eric enjoyed playing sports, namely soccer, baseball, and golf. Growing up, Eric was also a member of the Elkhart County 4-H Swine Club for eight years. Eric will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Visitation will be on Friday, January 17th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Miller-Stewart Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 18th at 11:00 am, with visitation at 10 am, at Church on the Rock, 2130 Middlebury Street, Elkhart. Services will be conducted by Pastor Tony Tice. A private burial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given in honor of Eric to the Fisher House https://fisherhouse.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/memorial-gifts/ or to the United Service Organizations http://USO.org. Online condolences may be offered at millerstewartfuneralhome.com.