Earl Dale Prout, age 92, passed away April 11, 2025, at BridgePointe Health Campus, Vincennes, Indiana. He was born in Jasonville, Indiana, the son of John Kenneth and Eva Loraine Prout. He married Dorothy Stump in Goshen, Indiana, in 1956. He was a member of First Methodist Church of Bloomington. Mr. Prout graduated from Jasonville High School, valedictorian of his class. He received his BS in music education from Indiana State University in 1954 and MS degree in 1961. While at ISU, he was a member of the Phi Mu National Music Honor fraternity, Blue Key, National Honor fraternity, and a member of Delta Kappa social fraternity. He was honored in his senior year by being named in “Who’s Who Among American Students in American Universities and Colleges”. Mr. Prout was a member of the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, Terre Haute Choral Society, Municipal Musicals Inc., Sycamore Players Civic Theater, Madrigal Singers, College Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Concert Choir, and Men’s Glee Club. He directed the Sinfonia Men’s Choir and was bass soloist with several of these groups, singing in many concerts around the state. He began his music career, teaching choir in the elementary and junior high school at Washington Clay in South Bend, IN. His position then changed to teaching band in the elementary and junior high and also band and choir in the high school at Washington Clay in South Bend. While there, he also served as minister music at the Gospel Center Church for “Your Worship Hour”, a worldwide radio broadcast. He sang for “Morning Meditations” to awaken South Bend each day. In 1960 he began teaching junior high and high school choir in Seymour, IN. In 1967, he taught one year at Marion High School, before returning to Seymour to teach high school choral music. He also served as choral director for the Seymour Community Schools. He remained in Seymour until his retirement in 1991. While in Seymour, Earl was the first president of the Civic Arts Guild and directed the Madrigal singers. He served as chairman of the South Central District for the Indiana Choral Director’s Association for three years. He was an instructor at the Indiana University Choral Clinic for a number of years. He was president of the Valley Choral Association. He served as minister of music at First Presbyterian churches in South Bend, Marion, and Seymour. He served as minister of music at First Methodist Church in Seymour for 30 years.
Mr. Prout is survived by one son, Kim (Anne) Prout of Vincennes, IN; daughters, Koral (Richard) Rosser of Lancaster, SC and Krystal Worth of Seymour, IN. There are 10 grandchildren; Jessica (Nic) Nielsen, Benjamin (Courtney) Chaney, Mitchell (Jamie) Prout, David (Erla) Chaney, Nicholas Prout, Kirstyn Chaney, Kathryn (Matthew) Cuthbertson, Kelsey (Brandon) Carden, Jenna (Tyler) Simmons, and Karalyn Chaney. Great Grandchildren include: Nehemiah Dale, Noelani, and Ezekiel Nielsen; Jude, Silas, and Cole Chaney; Emma and Hannah Prout; Zeke, Ophilia, and Raylan Chaney; Arden, Jonas, and Susanna Cuthbertson, Jack Simmons, and Bennett Carden.
Earl is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, and by his parents, John Kenneth and Eva Loraine Prout; one sister, Patricia Humphrey; one brother, Steve Prout; and son-in-law, Philip Chaney. In his teaching career, Mr. Prout provided students with the experience of music theater with productions rivaling those of college and professional groups, and he developed outstanding school talent. His goal was to help young people to love music and enjoy it throughout their lives. He was greatly admired and loved by his family, students, and friends. His heritage lives on as people attend the Earl D. Prout auditorium in Seymour, IN, for many years to come.
Private services will be conducted on Wednesday at Duesterberg- Fredrick Funeral home with Pastor Debbie Salters officiating. He will be laid to rest next to his wife Dorothy in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the Seymour High School Earl Prout Award.
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Cemetery Details
Location
Willow St.
Vincennes, IN 47591
