Mary Ellen Gant, 82, of Festus died May 15, 2020, at her home. Mrs. Grant was a retired admitting clerk at Jefferson Memorial Hospital. She was a charter member of Our Lady Catholic Church in Festus (where she delivered communion for shut-ins) and the Plattin Rock Boat Club in Crystal City, a member of the Kimmswick Historical Society and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed reading, live theater, dancing, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren. Born Feb. 8, 1938, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Rose (Jonak) and Bernard Scheer.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Paul LeRoy Gant.
She is survived by two daughters: Debra Marie (James) Rhives of Festus and Jamie Ann (Phil) Wilson of Herculaneum; a son: Patrick Neal (Deb) Gant of Festus; two sisters: Rita (Robert) Kaempfe of Festus and Christine Arnold of Imperial; eight grandchildren: Troy (Carrie) Rhives, Lisa (Chad) Smith, Megan (Aaron) Goodwin, Cassie (Brandon) Patterson, Erin (Nathan) Clark, Neal Gant, Dr. Leslie (Sam) Davis and Sam Wilson; and 14 great-grandchildren: Tyler, Hailee, Peyton, Kollyn, Wiley, Eli, Daveney, Ava, Cadence, Macie, Avery, Savannah, Nathan and Harrison.
She was preceded in death by a brother: Bud (the late Lorene) Scheer; and a sister: Janet Scheer.
Funeral Mass will be at noon Wednesday, May 20, at Our Lady Catholic Church in Festus, 1550 St. Mary’s Lane, in Festus, officiated by Father Gregory Klump. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or Our Lady Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.