Mr. Jon Whilden Avant, 79, of Walterboro, entered into eternal rest Sunday evening, April 7, 2024, at his residence under the care of Amedysis Hospice. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Patricia Josephine Wilkerson Avant. Born May 31, 1944, in Wadsworth, Ohio, he was a son of the late Johnson Whilden Avant and Anna Hoffman Avant. He was a graduate of Barberton High School in Barberton Ohio. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. After being honorably discharged, he earned a bachelors degree in accounting with a minor in law enforcement from Kent State University in Ohio. After college, he served as a police officer with the Norton Police Department in Norton, Ohio. Upon moving to South Carolina, he then founded Horvath Gunite Construction, a concrete construction and repair company that contracted many projects at the Charleston Naval Shipyard and Naval Weapons Station. Upon the closing of the shipyard, he worked with Palmetto Gunite in Ravenel, until he later founded Platinum pools in Walterboro. He provided service to much of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Mr. Jon had a strong work ethic, loved collecting coins, watching westerns, especially Gunsmoke, and having breakfast at Waffle House with his dear friends, including Ronnie Avant. He loved his family, always supporting them in anything they did. Of all his accomplishments, none were greater than the love he had for his children and grandchildren and his late wife Patty Jo. In his final weeks before his passing he expressed his enormous love for everyone, he was full of clarity, and had the utmost peace. He was filled by the spirit of God and was excited to see Jesus and reunite with the love of his life, Patty Jo, and son, Jason. Surviving are: his children, Jacqueline Avant Lunsford of Charleston, Jeraline Avant Belak of Ohio, Joseph W. Kornahrens of Ravenel, Freddy H. Avant (Casey) of Walterboro, and Lisa Avant Craven (Andy) of Walterboro; grandchildren, Shelby Rampey, Reid Lunsford, Jason Belak, Sarah Belak, Ethan Belak, John Belak, Josie Kornahrens, Kylie Kornahrens, Grace Constantine, Culler Avant, Finnley Avant, Taylor Strickland Jones (Austin), Brad Strickland, Dalton Craven (Rebecca), and Julia Craven Kinard (Josh); great grandchildren, Braleigh and Kinleigh. He is also survived by his brothers, Thomas Avant (Danielle) and Terry Avant (Sally); sister, Catherine Avant Cook (Daniel) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and a true Godsend, Cha Cha Gadson, who has been such a blessing to him and his family. He was preceded in death by his son, Jason Avant; and son-in-law, Brett Belak.
Funeral services were held 2 o’clock, Thursday afternoon, April 11, 2024, at The Brice Herndon Funeral Chapel, Walterboro. Interment followed at 4 pm, at First Baptist Church of Ravenel Cemetery, Ravenel. Arrangements By: The Brice W. Herndon And Sons Funeral Homes And Crematory, Walterboro Chapel, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, South Carolina, 29488. Visit the guestbook online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.
