Jack Prater

Jack Moore Prater, 89, of DeGraff, died at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2016 surrounded by his family at the home of his daughter, Sharon.

He was born at home in rural Bellefontaine, Ohio on June 8, 1926 to the late Harry L. and Martha A. (Moore) Prater. On May 29, 1948, he married the former Louise Katherine “Betsy” Bussinger in Dayton, Ohio and she preceded him in death on March 7, 2010. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Mozelle Strayer; brothers-in-law Don Strayer, Charley Forsthoff; brother and sister-in-law Charles and Adlena Bussinger; and mother and father-in-law Albert and Louise Bussinger.

Jack is survived by his nine children; Tom (Vicki) Prater of DeGraff, Kathy (Gary) McCulla of West Liberty, Joanne (Greg) Campbell of Quincy, Connie (Allen) Yutzy of Plain City, Linda (Steve) Brautigam of Quincy, Terry Prater of DeGraff, Sharon (Darrell) Heaberlin of DeGraff, Peg (Mike) Cook of West Liberty, and Jackie Prater of DeGraff; a sister, Ann Forsthoff of Dayton; brothers-in-law George (Sarah) Bussinger of Centerville and Bob (Wendy) Bussinger of California; 11 grandchildren, Kim (Rich) Pickering, Mike Prater, Emily (Todd) Bucher, Brison (Ginger) Allmon, Mary Brautigam, Keenan Reames, Michelle (Matt) Hull, Matt Brautigam, Jake (Sara) Heaberlin, Abby (John) Walters, and Luke Cook; 12 great grandchildren, Rachel, Andrew, Quinn, Ross, Madison, Mariah, Hailey, Peyton, Garrett, Aiden, Gwen, and Jackson; 5 step-grandchildren; 12 step-great grandchildren; 2 step-great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A 1944 graduate of DeGraff High School, he was a WWII Army veteran and member of the Miami Grange. Jack was a life-long dairy farmer. He was a hard worker who enjoyed spending time with family, attending sporting and other events of his grandchildren and great grandchildren, playing dartball, handing out nicknames, joking and having fun.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at the Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, 210 W. Hayes Street, DeGraff, Ohio. Rev. Cheryl Siegenthaler and Deacon Harold Dipple will officiate a funeral service at 12 noon on Wednesday, March 23rd at Philadelphia Lutheran Church, 5506 Township Road 201, Bellefontaine, Ohio. Burial will follow in Philadelphia Cemetery, Bellefontaine with military rites by the Logan County Veterans Honor Guard.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of the Daring & Sanford Funeral Home in DeGraff.

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