Virgil "Bryan" Hart

PHILO - Virgil "Bryan" Hart, 72, of Philo left for heaven at 2:55 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 1, 2025) from his home.

He was born on Sept. 4, 1953, in Vandalia, the son of Philip and Rosalie (Washburn) Hart. He married Vickie Willis on May 25, 1979, in Newman.

Bryan is survived by his wife, Vickie; daughter, Belinda (Josh) White; grandchildren, Alyssa (Fred Ried) Stillabower and Dustin (Nevaeh Murray) White; the apple of his eye, his great-grandson, Preston Adams; sisters Sherrill (Chaz) Thomas, Veronica Hart and Mitzi Hart; father- and mother-in-law, Ted and Mary Sandwell; brothers-in-law, William (Aubrey) Campbell and Scott Young; sisters-in-law Michele (Brian) Kowalski and Lisa (Troy David) Withrow; numerous nieces and nephews; his extended family in Tennessee; and his beloved pups, James, Sadie and Ranger.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Terrill Hart; sister Gerri Lynn Niemi; and sister-in-law Deb Young.

Bryan graduated from Villa Grove High School in 1971. He was a truck driver for 40-plus years, having ended his career working for Star Force Transportation. He and Vickie traveled extensively throughout the western half of the U.S. visiting numerous National Parks. Although he was not a beach person, he enjoyed their many trips to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He was able to enjoy a last trip to Washington, D.C., in July. You could often find Bryan with a book in hand, as he was an avid reader. He loved history, political commentary and way too much Fox News.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 2200 Philo Road, Urbana. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo.

Memorials may be made to St. Mattew Lutheran Church or the Champaign County Humane Society. Condolences may be made at renner-wikoffchapel.com.