705 W. Warren Street | (812) 849-2600 |

Amzel June VanzantPassing: April 16, 2011

Service:

Chastain Funeral Home

Friday,Apr.22,2011, 10:30 am

Visitation:

Chastain Funeral Home

Thursday,Apr.21,2011, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Friday,Apr.22,2011, 09:30 am - 10:30 am

Cemetery:

Mitchell Cemetery

Friday,Apr.22,2011

MITCHELL Amzel J. Vanzant, 103, Mitchell, passed away at 4:15 a.m. Saturday, April 16, 2011, at Mitchell Manor Living and Rehabilitation Center.

Born June 13, 1907, in Crawford County, she was the second of three daughters of James and Luella (Boman) Smith, and the great granddaughter of Indiana pioneer, Moses Smith. They farmed in Patoka Township, then on Riddle Ridge. She and her cousins rented a house in English, cooked their meals, and cared for themselves while attending high school. Upon receiving her teaching credentials from Indiana University, she taught in Crawford County.

She married river boat pilot Jack (Von Leon Vanzant, Sr.) May 25, 1931, and he preceded her in death January 3, 1989. They had four children and lived in 17 communities, including Cincinnati, Ohio, when Jack was Chief Navigation Corps of Engineers for the Ohio River. After retirement, they returned to their Indiana roots and settled in Mitchell.

Amzel was involved in her children’s activities, served on PTAs, and was active in her churches. She was teaching Sunday School at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church at 90 years of age! She enjoyed television and the Cincinnati Reds. After the children were grown, she traveled with Jack, and made numerous trips to California to visit their oldest son and family.

This is a person who lived on this earth 103 years and saw many changes. To her family and friends, she was a good person. She gave her family a grounding in Christian principles and lived by them.

Her children: son,
Von Leon Vanzant Jr. and Sue Vanzant of Los Angeles, California
granddaughter, Kay (Vanzant) Bradney and James Bradney
great grandsons, Jann Vanzant and Maxwell Vanzant Bradney
great granddaughter, Greta Jane Vanzant and Dianno DiBella
daughter,
Jane (Vanzant) Haines and George Haines, Ft. Myers, Florida
son,
James Vanzant and Andrea Vanzant of Florence, Kentucky
granddaughters, Heather Vanzant, Erica (Vanzant) Kapesser and Zackery Kakpesser
grandson, Joshua Vanzant and Santina (Onorini) Vanzant
son,
Joseph Vanzant and Pam Vanzant of Mitchell
grandson, Jason Vanzant and Megan Vanzant
granddaughter, Jennifer Brideson and Mike Brideson
great grandson, James Brideson
great granddaughter, Brianna Boccassini

Her parents; husband; and sisters, Lorraine Goldsmith and Crystal Conrad, preceded her in death.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 22, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home with Rev. Diana J. McCracken officiating. Burial will be in Mitchell Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. until the service on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial Gifts: Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church.

Sign the Guestbook