Mary Jeanne (Barnhart) Dowty, age 95, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2017. Mary Jeanne was born November 9, 1922 in Constantine, MI, the daughter of James and Bernice (Haggerman) Barnhart. Mary Jeanne was a lifelong advocate for education. She earned bachelor’s in Education and master’s degrees in Geography from Western Michigan University. She taught history, home economics, and art for nearly 30 years in Vicksburg Community Schools (Tobey Elementary) and in Constantine Middle School. Mary Jeanne’s hands were rarely still as she enjoyed spinning yarn, quilting, knitting, painting, reading, and paper crafts. She also enjoyed spending time with others including hosting bible study and visiting with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mary Jeanne was a woman of strong faith and a longtime member of the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church. Mary Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan Stanley Dowty, whom she married on November 2, 1943. She was also preceded in death by 2 sisters, Alice and Kathryne; and a brother, James. Surviving are her son, Navi (Susan) Dowty of Chicago, IL; 2 daughters, Ivy Sue Parker of Schoolcraft, Ruth (William) Dorrance of Vicksburg; 9 grandchildren, Steven (Honey) Parker, Jillonne (David) Dowty-Ball, William (Wendy) Dorrance, Andrew (Penny) Dowty, Kathryne (Todd) Brewer, James (Tricia) Parker, Timothy Dowty, Kenneth Dorrance, and Elizabeth (TJ) Dorrance Hall; 12 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Please join us in celebrating her long life on Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00am at the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church, where a Service will be held at 11:00am. Interment Schoolcraft Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Shoolcraft United Methodist Church. Please go to her web page to leave a message for her family at www.avinkcremation.com.
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