TRAVERSE CITY — Donald L. Hart, 77, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully Sunday, July 3, 2011, at the Grand Traverse Pavilions, surrounded by his loving family.Don was born May 1, 1934, in Traverse City, to the late Lawrence and May (Bright) Hart. He married (Gwendolyn) Kaye Brigham on July 18, 1952, also in Traverse City.Don has lived in the area all his life. He started work for the Traverse City Record-Eagle in the print and publishing area while in high school, as well as working for his grandfather at William Hart & Sons Plumbing during that time. After graduation, he worked for the Parson Corporation, making helicopter blades. He retired from the Traverse City State Hospital after 30 years of service, having been foreman of the Plumbing and Heating shop. He was a member of the SERA Club and also the NRA. He also worked for Northern Stainless and Great Lakes Stainless Corporation.Don was a charter member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and helped build the original structure. As a former member of The Wesleyan Church, he served as song leader and choir director. One of his greatest joys was driving the church bus to transport the senior ladies to and from church. He also attended the First Church of the Nazarene.He loved gospel quartet music and began singing in quartets at the age of 14. Don was one of the first members of the Glad Tidings Quartet, performing concerts across the state.Helping others was a joy for Don. He never met a stranger. His pastimes included woodworking, anything mechanical, hunting, snowmobiling, motorcycles, repairing/repainting cars, and RV camping.Surviving Don is his wife, Kaye; children, Debra K. Hart, Brian (Phyllis) Hart, Sharon (Al) Weiselberg; grandchildren, Joshua (Carrie) Hart, Jessica Weiselberg, Kurtis Weiselberg; great-grandchild, Gibson J. Hart; sister, Jean (Roger) Young; nieces, nephews and many cousins.Visitation for Don will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. this evening, July 6, at First Church of the Nazarene.Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 7, also at the church, with a visitation one half-hour prior to the service. Pastor Richard Rice will serve as officiant. Burial will take place at the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Church of the Nazarene, 1023 Division St., Traverse City; or the Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation, 1000 Pavilion Circle Dr., in Traverse City.Please sign Don's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.