NAPLES, Fla. – Joseph P. Prout, 87, passed away March 9, 2016, at the Naples Community Hospital, Naples, Fla. He was born Oct. 23, 1928, in Noblesville, to Joseph and Vera Prout. On March 14, 1992, he married Mary Hanft, who survives. He was a longtime Warsaw resident and also lived in Saugatuck, Mich., and Naples, Fla. In summer 1951, he married Marilyn Emerick, and they had four daughters together. He attended Warsaw High School and graduated from the business school at Indiana University in 1951. He is survived by his four daughters: Kathy (and spouse Clay) Kreicker, Karol (and spouse Rocky) Clemens, Linda (and spouse Randy) Kirkendall and JoAnn Prout (and Doug Snow); three stepchildren: Kelly (and spouse Tony) Boley, Krista (and spouse Bret) Nicholson and Kyle (and spouse Rhonda) Hanft. Wooga was a great friend and hero to his 16 grandchildren: Keith Kreicker, Adam (Audrey Wallen) Sherrill, Ben Sherrill, Chris (and spouse Nicole) Sherrill, Joe (and spouse Liz) Kirkendall, Kallie (Nick Chapman) Kirkendall, Lauren Kirkendall, Dario Lagorio, Ross Clemens, Grant Clemens, Lauren (and spouse Andy) Miller, Kelsey (and spouse Robert) Swanson, Logan Irwin, Keaton Irwin, Braxton Hanft and Stuart Hanft. He also is survived by much loved two sisters, Patricia (and spouse Richard) Wheeler and Nancy Brumfield, as well as nieces and nephews. He was the owner of Owen’s Supermarkets until 1997 and also served on the board at Lake City Bank. He loved travel, family, friends and a great bottle of red. So, too, his beloved Indiana Hoosiers. He was an avid walker to the very end. He had a very quick wit and a glint in his eye. With his co-conspirator, neighbor and best friend, Bob Williams, he founded the now (in)famous Country Club Drive Fourth of July Parade in the early 1970s. He was a force of nature and will be missed by many, far and wide. There are no services planned. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
