Marlin R. Hart, age 75, of Belleville, Illinois, formerly of Centralia and Mt. Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 5:15 A.M. on Friday, December 17, 2010 in Freeburg, Illinois. He was born on September 1, 1935, in Mount Vernon, Illinois the son of Dwight Hart and Edna (Robinson) Hart. He married Shelvia Jean Lawson on February 4, 1955 in Centralia, Illinois and she preceded him in death on November 9, 1977 at the age of 39. Mr. Hart is survived by his son Recil A. Hart and wife Linda of St. Jacobs, Illinois, 3 daughters Carol Arbing of Swansea, Illinois, Mandy Ledbetter and husband Mike "JR" of Granite City, Illinois, and Carrie Schlesinger and husband Charles of Belleville, Illinois, 5 grandchildren Keith Schlesinger and wife Lisa, Jason Schlesinger and wife Starr, Kyle Naliborski, Andrew Ledbetter and Nick Daniels, 6 great grandchildren Carly, Madalyn, Dallas, Rease, Piper and Justice, 1 brother Roy Hart and wife Pat of Centralia, Illinois, 1 sister Mary Meier of Hoffman, Illinois and nieces and nephews. Mr. Hart is preceded in death by his parents and wife. Mr. Hart was one of the best known competitors of flat track motorcycle racing. He spent his early years as an amateur motorcycle racer and mechanic competing on weekends. After the love of his life passed away, He pursued his love of racing full time. He then developed The Hart Racing Team and built some of the fastest motorcycles for some of the best flat track racers in the United States for 32 years. Motorcycle enthusiasts have long known him as a source of parts and irreplaceable knowledge, thats "if" he cared to share that knowledge with you. Mr. Hart was modest in his achievements. He will be long remembered and envied for the speed and quality of the motorcycles he built. Those of you who knew him well know that "the easiest thing to replace on that motorcycle is the rider." He can never be replaced in our hearts. He was a life time member of the American Motorcycle Association. He enjoyed watching Nascar. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, December 20, 2010 at the Styninger Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois with Richard Rich officiating. Interment will follow in the Fouts Cemetery in Jefferson County, Illinois. Friends may call on Monday, December 20, 2010 at the Styninger Queen~Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois from 11:00 A.M. until the time of services at 1:00 P.M. In lieu of Memorial contributions the family kindly asks that you stop smoking and live a longer healthier life with your loved ones.