John Overton Conant

Funeral service for John O. Conant will be held 11 AM Wednesday, June 24, 2009 in St. Anthony Catholic Church with Rev. Jamie Medina Cruz officiating. Burial will be in Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, La. under the direction of Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 23, 2009 from 5 PM until 9 PM with a Rosary Service at 7 PM and visitation on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 from 8 AM until 10 AM in the funeral home. On Thursday, June 18, 2009, the Angel from above came to claim the life of our loved one after a brief illness at Christus Schumpert Health System in Shreveport, La. John was born January 16, 1921 to Willie Avit Conant and Ora Perot Conant in Natchitoches, La. John was a wonderful, caring and loving husband, father, and grandfather. John served in the United States Navy during World War II from l945-1946. After his tour of duty he returned home to open and manage Campti Cleaners from l939 until its closure in l986. After retiring, John continued to work part time. He loved spending time gardening and reading. His love of baseball was a special one and got to see his first MLB game at age 85. His love for God was expressed daily by attending mass. John was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church. He was a member of Holy Name Society, Veteran of Foreign Wars, The American Legion. You could never meet a more humble and giving soul. He loved all people lived life to the fullest everyday but his greatest love of all was being on the dance floor at any day and time doing the Famous Conant Shuffle. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Viola Mary Metoyer Conant; his son John Martin Conant; his parents, brothers, W. A. Conant, Genesis Conant and William Conant; sisters, Rowena Metoyer and Garnet Cole. He is survived by his children, three daughters, Mary Ann Wigley and husband Alfred Wigley, Jr. of Natchitoches, La., Linda Conant of New York, N.Y., and Cecilia Conant of Shreveport, La.; one son, Gerald J. Conant and wife Jeanette of Natchitoches, La.; grandchildren, Cindy Wigley, Bridget Wigley-Metoyer and husband Silton Metoyer, Jr., Alfred Wigley, III and wife Denise, James Ernest Metoyer, III, John Anthony Metoyer, Evan Michael Metoyer, Tina Marie Conant, and Stephanie Conant; eight great grandchildren, Randy Wigley, Silton Metoyer, III, Zachary Metoyer, Austin Wigley, Jayden McFarland, Eva Lynn Metoyer, Emily Ruth Metoyer, and Camila Metoyer great-great-grandchild, Tristen Jones; four sisters, Alice Gregory of Tucson, Az., Theresa Donatto of Colorado Springs, Co., Cecilia McLaughlin of San Jacinto, Ca., and Elouise Martin of Los Angeles, Ca.; two brothers, James Conant of Baton Rouge, La. and Joseph Conant of Hawaii; a host of nieces, nephews, and dancing partners. Pallbearers will be James Ernest Metoyer III, John Anthony Metoyer, Evan Michael Metoyer, Silton Metoyer III, Zachary Metoyer, Louis Ray Metoyer. The family would like to offer a special thanks to Dr. Collins, Dr. Barnum and ICU staff at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. Dr. Lambert, Dr. Troxclair, Dr. Gladney, Nurses, Lindsey and Quentin. Rev. Thomas and Rev. McCleland and ICU Staff at Christus Schumpert Medical Center.