Doris Prather

Doris Eileen Prather, 89, of Rushville, passed away at 12:46 PM, Thursday, August 3, 2017, at her home.

She was born on September 29, 1927, in Oakland Township, Schuyler County, Illinois, the daughter of John Leonard and Lillie Ray (Goodin) Ebbert.  She married Francis “Franner” Prather on November 10, 1948, at the Methodist Church in Macomb.  He preceded her in death on May 4, 1966.

Surviving are four daughters, Patricia Thornton and husband Billy of Rushville, Pamela Kelly and husband Jim and Kathy Artis and husband Gale all of Camden and Mary Yockey and husband Michael of Naperville, ten grandchildren, Andrew Thornton and wife Laura, Scott Thornton and wife Bridgett, Tracy Thornton and wife Amy, Tom Thornton and wife Johnna, Chad Kelly and wife Haley, Jami Kelly, Shawn Artis and wife Jennifer, Randall Artis, Sarah Yockey and Kate Yockey, six great grandchildren Isabelle, Olivia and Jackson Thornton, Billy Thornton, Lance and Paxton Kelly, one brother, Victor Ebbert of Havana and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Terri Thornton Hamm, four sisters, Lucille Curtis, Leona Smith, Mary Hill and Barbara Joan Ebbert, two brothers, Paul and Louis Ebbert.

Doris graduated from Rushville High School with the Class of 1945.  Soon after graduation, she began working as a bookkeeper at Alexander Lumber in Rushville, until 1950. She and Franner moved to California while Franner was in the United States Navy.  While there, their two daughters Patty and Pam were born.  In March 1953, they returned to Illinois where they farmed in Schuyler and Warren Counties until Franner’s health declined.  Doris resumed working at Alexander Lumber in 1970 until her retirement on September 1, 1996.  She later worked as a night manager at Feigl's Foods in Rushville for 8 years.

She was a devoted member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Rushville, where she served as a deacon and the Financial Secretary for many years.  She was also a volunteer in the church office and nursery for many years and was the last surviving member of the Sooner Sunday School Class.  She was also a member of the Schuyler American Legion Auxiliary.  She enjoyed reading, cooking and baking.  The heart of Doris’s life was her family and her church.

Services will be at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Rushville, with Reverend John Sowers officiating.  Interment will follow in the Rushville City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Monday, August 7, 2017, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville.  Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Rushville.