Louis Leroy ‘Lum’ Gant, 87, New Haven
Louis LeRoy “Lum” Gant, 87, of New Haven, a loving father, grandfather and brother, died Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, at Jewish Hospital in Louisville after a short illness.
He was born in Louisville and raised on Dumesnil Street. He moved to New Haven during the 1937 flood. He was a member of St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church in New Haven and the church baseball league for many years. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved spending time with his family. He was retired from Amerigas in New Haven after 35 years of service.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving on the USS Nevada. He was present at the invasion of Normandy as well as the battles of Okinawa and Iwo Jima where he witnessed the raising of the flag over Mt. Suribachi.
He was born July 6, 1924, the son of the late William “Will” Gant and Mary Ethel Mattingly Gant. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 56 years Ethel Rita Coyle Gant; a son, Marion Gerald Gant; a daughter, Joanne Marie Gant; four brothers, James Gant, Earl “Spike” Gant, Sam Gant and Eugene Gant; and one sister, Evelyn Gant Bryan.
He is survived by three sons, Pat (Diane) Gant of New Haven; Bosco (Gwynn) Gant and Joe (Rosie) Gant, both of Bardstown; two daughters, Mary Callista “Kissie” (Johnny) Crouch of Shepherdsville and Karen (Kenny) Greenwell of Bardstown; a sister, Mary E. “Tootie” (Jimmy) Bryan of New Haven; 14 grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011, at St. Catharine of Alexandria Catholic Church with the Rev. Troy Overton, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation is noon-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011, at the William R. Rust Funeral Home in New Haven. A prayer service is 5 p.m Monday in the funeral home chapel with Deacon Eddie Hutchins officiating.
William R. Rust Funeral Home, 167 N. Main St., New Haven, KY 40051, is in charge of arrangements.
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