- Visitation
Friday, April 20, 2012
4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Meridith Funeral Home, Pocahontas, IL.
- Service
Saturday, April 21, 2012
10:00 a.m.
Meridith Funeral Home.
- Full Obituary
Norman L. Prater, 90, of Pocahontas, IL, died Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at Helia Healthcare of Greenville, IL, surrounded by his family.
Norman was born March 13, 1922, to Lewis Martin and Lula Mae (nee Medley) Prater in Dent County, MO. On July 13, 1943 he married Zelma Ruth Callahan in Salem, MO.
He owned many different sawmills, first in partnership with his brothers, Monroe, Howard and Lewis, and later, independently. He moved his mills, constantly reworking and improving them, from the late 1940’s until 1966 when his last mill was moved to its current location, South of Greenville, IL on the Dudleyville Road. In July of 1987 after running sawmills for a total of 41 years, he retired. He moved East of Pocahontas. He enjoyed woodworking, putting in his garden annually, going to saw contests, playing cards and loved watching Cardinals games.
He is survived by 3 sons and 2 daughters, Herschel Prater, Troy, IL, David (Roberta "Bobbie") Prater, Pocahontas, IL, Joan (Michael) Allen, Bunker Hill, IL, Pat (Robert) Lister, Kissee Mills, MO, Larry Prater, Greenville, IL; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; special friend, Willena “Billie” Swain.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Lula Prater; his wife, Zelma Prater; 1 daughter, Delores Elam;1 son-in-law, Donnie Elam; 1 granddaughter, Sherri Elam; 1 infant son; twin infant daughters.
Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or Helia Healthcare of Greenville, IL.
Visitation: Friday, April 20, 2012, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Meridith Funeral Home, Pocahontas, IL.
Funeral: Saturday, April 21, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Meridith Funeral Home.
Clergy: Rev. Dave Trover, Pastor, United Methodist Church, Pocahontas, IL.
Interment: Mount Auburn Cemetery, Greenville, IL.
Meridith Funeral Home, Pocahontas, IL.
