Mary Jo Dant, age 86, formerly of Bardstown and Loretto, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 20, 2014.

Mary Jo was a retired secretary for Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto. She volunteered for St. Vincent Depaul, The Red Cross, St. Joe's Bereavement Committee and was a member of the Altar Society.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ardine and Lucille Blanford, her brother, M. A. Blanford, her sister, Mary Lou Medley, her grandson, Kevin Dant and her granddaughter, Heather Dant, her son, Jude Dant and her loving husband of 57 years, Joseph L. Dant, Jr.

Survivors include two sons, Mikie Dant, Kenny Dant (Cabrina), two daughters, Michelle Thompson (Louie) and Brenda Hodge (Lavone), six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, two brothers, Randall Blanford (Shirley) and C.A. Blanford (Fern), one sister, Lottie Smith and one sister-in-law, Eva Blanford

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 6785 Highway 52, Saint Francis, with interment to follow in the church cemetery. Rev. R. Joseph Hemmerle will be the celebrant.

Visitation is 3-8 PM Wednesday at Mattingly Funeral Home, 195 Holy Cross Road, Loretto with a prayer service at 5 PM.