- Date Of Birth: May 5, 1940
- Date Of Death: May 26, 2012
- State: Illinois
Gerald “Jerry” H. Prather, 72 of Centralia, passed away Saturday, May 26, 2012, at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, MO. He was born May 5, 1940, in Centralia, the son of Raymond Prather and Freida (Dugan).
He married Andrea (Geurin) Prather on September 7, 1963, in Central City at Central City Baptist Church and she survives in Centralia.
In addition to his wife he is survived by two daughters: Tina Bean & husband Greg of Effingham, IL, and Penelope Sperruzza and husband Paul of Eureka, MO; four grandchildren: Austin Bean, Karissa Bean, Matthew Sperruzza, and Michael Sperruzza; four sisters: Doris Liddell of Kerrville, TX, Norma and husband Don Cerny of Rockledge, FL, Marilyn Schneider and husband Earl of Carlyle, IL and Carol West of Georgetown, IL; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Gale Prather and Jack Prather.
Mr. Prather was a member of the Local 520 Operating Engineers, worked as a Truck Driver, and he owned and operated Jerry Prather’s Scrap Metals and Recycling for almost 40 years. Jerry served in the Army Reserves and was a Paratrooper in the 92nd Airborne. He was a member of the Centralia Royal Arch Mason Ch. 93, Centralia Masonic Lodge Ch. 201, Centralia Elks Lodge Ch. 493, Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge Ch. 1219, Ainad Shrine Temple, and the Bears Club. He enjoyed playing cards, gardening, golf, and fishing. Most of all he loved spending time with family, friends, and his dog Luke.
