Mr. Robert Paul “Bob” Prater, Jr. 83, of Monmouth, Illinois died 12:47 a.m. Monday, June 28, 2021 at the Monmouth Nursing Home.
He was born June 22, 1938 in Watseka, Illinois to Robert Paul and Elsie Inez (Williams) Prater, Sr. He married Vaudreen C. Wildman, November 17, 1956 in Kankakee, Illinois. She preceded him in death April 27, 1997. He later married Celinda S. Johnson, February 26, 2005 in Monmouth. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Kris Thompson of Rock Island, Illinois and Tracy Larson of Galesburg, Illinois, a step son, Keith (and Dawn) Brown of Monmouth, two step daughters, Julie (and Nick) Adcock of Pesotum, Illinois and Michele Brown of North Aurora, Illinois, a brother, George (and Mary Kay) Prater of Warsaw, Indiana, a sister, Joy (and Phil) Zelhart of Beaverville, Illinois, three grandchildren, Misty Prater, Bryce Thompson, and Brittany Larson, five step grandchildren, Megan and Abby Brown, Kenny, Kelsey, and Rozlynn Adcock and a great grandchild, Jaelyn Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Shirley Oudshoorn and Judy Prater.
Bob graduated from Thornton of Harvey High School, Harvey, Illinois in 1956. He also graduated from Washburn Trade School in Chicago, Illinois. He worked in retail sales his entire career including working for Lowe’s in Galesburg for several years and retired in 2005. Robert was an avid golfer.
Cremation will be accorded. A memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 2, 2021 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel. Chaplain Jordan Knight will officiate. Memorials may be to Western Illinois Animal Rescue (W.I.A.R.) in Monmouth. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
