MCLEANSBORO – Nancy Jo Prather, age 79, passed away Sunday, March 30, 2025, at her home in McLeansboro, IL.
Nancy was born in Hamilton County, the daughter of Cecil Mastin and Ruth Julia Allen. Nancy married Jerry Arthur Prather on December 14th, 1963. They were married for 61 years. Nancy enjoyed spending time at Kentucky Lake, helping on the farm, traveling on the motorcycle, reading, quilting, delivering campers nationwide, and spending winter months in Florida. She especially enjoyed babysitting her great grandbabies.
Nancy first worked as a telephone operator. She was later employed at Farm Bureau, ACM Ford, and Connaway Ford. Nancy continued her education, receiving her Master’s Degree in Business Education and Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She began her teaching career at Dale Elementary, then Centerville School, and she retired from Carmi-White County High School in 2007. She taught for a total of 27 years. In addition to teaching, she was a student council sponsor and worked with the ALPHA program. She also spent several years volunteering at the auxiliary gift shop at Hamilton Memorial Hospital after she retired.
Nancy was a member of McLeansboro First General Baptist Church.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Jerry of McLeansboro; daughter, Kim Lueke of Dahlgren; son, Jerrod (Michelle) Prather of Enfield; grandchildren, Bryce (Breann) Lueke and Levi (Tori) Lueke of McLeansboro and Colby and Nolan Prather of Enfield; great-grandchildren, Brylee, Brynlee and Brantlee Lueke of McLeansboro; as well as a brother, Jerry (Sandy) Allen of Effingham; brother-in-law, Marvin Walker; sister-in-law Mae Allen; and several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Ruth Allen; her mother and father-in-law, Marshall and Annabelle Prather; her brother, Gene Allen; sister, Janet Walker; son-in-law, Troy Lueke; a great-grandson, Barrett Lueke; and an infant sister.
Visitation for Nancy will be Wednesday, April 2, 2025; from 5 to 7 p.m., at the First General Baptist Church in McLeansboro. Funeral services are Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at the First General Baptist Church with Pastors Tim Jones and Mark Lee officiating.
Burial will follow at the Blooming Grove Cemetery in McLeansboro.
Memorials may be given to the First General Baptist Church Building Fund and can be left at the church or at Harre Funeral Home who is in charge of arrangements.
