On January 22, 2020, Clare Louise Dant, loving wife and mother of eleven, passed away at the age of 90.
Clare was born on January 6, 1930 in Richmond, IN, the youngest child of Herbert and Henrietta (Tegeder) Mayer. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1947 and attended Earlham College.
On September 29, 1956, she married Robert Lee Dant and together they shared 46 years together, residing in Muncie, Fort Wayne, and Angola.
Clare had a passion for art and handcrafts. She like to paint, draw, crochet, knit, and sew. Her paintings grace the walls of her children’s homes, her afghans warm the hearts of her grandchildren, and memories of painting rocks with her are priceless. But Clare’s greatest passion was her family. She was always pictured surrounded by children and genuinely smiling. She loved holding babies and having babies. She used to say that she felt better when she was pregnant, that she loved all her children equally, and that she just accepted gladly when God gave her another child.
Clare was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob, her sister, Frances Mayer, and her brother, Herbert Mayer, Jr. She is survived by her eleven children, Gary (Sue) Dant, David (Jana) Wunderlich, Linda (Tony) Neuhoff, Jeffrey (Amy) Dant, Teresa Dant, David (Miriam) Dant, Sue (Paul) Metzger, Rob Dant, Tom (Tonya) Dant, Michael (Becky) Dant, and Mary Beth (Chris) Ross.
Also surviving are two sisters, Martha Yount and Patricia Mayer, 21 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. Clare, you loved us well. Thank you for all the joy you gave us and sacrifices you made for us. We shall hold your memory in our hearts until we meet again in Heaven. Rest in Peace, Mom.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Clare at 10:00 am, Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at St Henry Catholic Church, 2929 Paulding Rd with calling one hour prior. Visitation will be held Monday, January 27, 2020, 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne with rosary service at 4:30 pm. Burial will be in Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities.