Rest in peace, Father John W. "Wally" Dant Jr.

REV. JOHN W. "WALLY" DANT JR., 70, of Louisville, passed away Sunday, November 28, 2010 in the presence of his family and friends. 

Born in Gethsemane, KY, he was a graduate of St. Xavier High School and the University of Notre Dame. He retired after 33 years with UPS ending his first career as vice president of Air Operations. Following his retirement, he became and ordained Deacon at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Pewee Valley, KY. 

Following the death of his beloved wife, Barbara, he entered the seminary at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corner, WI. He was ordained as priest in the Archdiocese of Louisville in May 2006. He then served at St. Augustine and Holy Name of Mary in Lebanon, KY, before taking on his current pastoral duties at St. Thomas and St. Monica parishes in Bardstown, KY. 

Father Wally was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Barbara Ann Hutchins of New Hope, KY. 

He is survived by his children, son, Wally (Ginny) Dant III and six grandchildren, Wally IV, Michael, Mallory, Grant, Jack, and Hank of Franklin, TN; son, Joe "Cary" (Jan) Dant and eight grandchildren, Ryan, Sean, Clay, Will, Casey, Mary, Annie, Evan and great-grandson, Finley of Batavia, IL; daughter, Wendy (Mitch) Randolph and four grandchildren, Ben, Molly, Jake, and Abby of Crestwood, KY; daughter, Jackie (Craig) Miller and three grandchildren, Nick, Keegan and Maddie of Murfreesboro, TN; son, Jonathan Dant of Philadelphia, PA; and his faithful dog Max. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Marcie (Joe Paul) Abell of Lebanon, KY. 

His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 3, 2010 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Pewee Valley, with burial following in St. Aloysius Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3-8 p.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Bardstown and Thursday from 1-8 p.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Pewee Valley.

Expressions of sympathy/ memorials may be made to St. Thomas Catholic Church, or St. Monica Catholic Church. Stoess Funeral Home, Crestwood, KY is in charge of arrangements.