Janet L. Gant
1943—2026

Janet L. Gant, 82, of Otterville, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at Primrose Assisted Living in Sedalia, Missouri.

Born March 2, 1943, in Job, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Ershel and Martha (Mills) Bowen.

On March 3, 1962, in Kansas City, Missouri, she married Charles Gary Gant. They shared 55 years together before his passing Dec. 3, 2017.

Janet grew up in Kentucky and spent her early married life moving to different places with the military. After settling in Otterville, she made a career in banking, working first at First State Savings and Loan, then at Mercantile Bank and First Community Bank, from where she retired as a loan officer and vice president.

She was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Florence and had also been a member of the Eastern Star. Janet cared deeply about her community and served two terms as mayor of Otterville, as well as time on the local school board.

Janet enjoyed cooking and baking, crocheting, line dancing, and spending time entertaining others. In recent years, she especially enjoyed hosting block parties for her neighbors. She was a loyal fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kentucky Wildcats.

She is survived by two sons, Brian Gant (Christina) of Smithton and Bradley Gant (Nicole) of Roach; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Larry James; a sister, Loretha Muncy; several nieces and nephews; and her recent companion, Bob Bentzin.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, two brothers and two sisters.

The family will receive friends beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at Heckart Funeral Home in Sedalia, Missouri, where funeral services will be held at 12 p.m.

Private burial will be in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, in care of Heckart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 434, Sedalia, Missouri 65302.