JoAnne Prowant
Dupont, OH -- JoAnne Prowant, 87, died Friday, December 26, 2014 at 8:48 p.m. surrounded by her loving family.
She was the proud mother of three children; a daughter, Jill (Byrd) and special friend Dan Daly of Lewiston, MI; a daughter Lynn (Bill) Miller, Decatur, IN; and Bill (Anissa) Prowant, Dupont; 3 grandchildren; Lisa (Clark) Gable, Decatur, IN; Jeffrey and Allison Prowant, Dupont, OH; great-granddaughters, and namesake, Anna Jo Gable and Matilynn Gable, Decatur, IN. A very loyal dog, Rosco and 2 grand-dogs.  Also surviving is a nephew, Greg Myers, of Elida, OH. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and sister-in-law, Maurice and Esther Myers, of Elida, Ohio, and her husband Ray in 2011.
Born and raised in Dupont, the daughter of Warren and Aura Myers, she was lifelong resident of Dupont.
After graduating from Continental High School in 1945, she enrolled in the US Army Cadet Nursing Program, and graduated in 1948 as a registered nurse from the Mercy School of Nursing in Toledo, Ohio. She was the Secretary of Durant Enterprises, Inc., as well as serving as "Summer Mom" to hundreds of teenagers and young adults, who shared their summers working alongside of this tireless woman.
Mrs. Prowant lived her life with joy and a zest for life. She never took one day for granted. She was very active in the community. She served as a Girl Scout leader and cookie chairman for many years. She loved her church, the Continental United Methodist Church, she served as a Sunday school teacher, greeter and "back pew director." She was also a member of the Continental Eastern Stars, and a member of the Dupont Community Club.
Professionally, Mrs. Prowant began her career in 1948, working for the Myers' Concession Company. She and her husband traveled with the Gooding Amusement Company, serving many Ohio fairs and festivals with their confection trailers. In 1966, they established Durant Enterprises, Inc., a mobile amusement company. Mrs. Prowant belonged to the Greater Ohio Showmen's Association, of which she earned the Showmen of the Year Award with her family, as well as being inducted into the Ohio Fair Managers Hall of Fame with her husband.
Mrs. Prowant loved visiting with people. She was a tremendous inspiration to all who knew her. Perhaps this was her true purpose on the earth. She battled cancer since 1978 until her death. She was always willing to offer encouragement to others who were in the fight with her.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at Continental United Methodist Church with Pastor Charles Schmunk officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Continental, where there will be a Continental Eastern Stars service at 7:45 pm., and from 10 a.m. until time of service on Wednesday at the church.
Memorials may be made to Continental United Methodist Church, Continental Community Library, or Hartland Hospice of Ft. Wayne.
Condolences can be expressed at: www.heitmeyerfuneralhome.com.

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