Evelyn J. Prather

1925 - 2012

Evelyn J. (Wright) Prather, 86, of Chillicothe, passed away Saturday, March 3, 2012, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
She was born Aug. 25, 1925, in Jacksonville, the daughter of Roscoe J. and Verneal A. (Perkins) Wright. She married William R. Prather on Oct. 1, 1976, in Henry.
Surviving are her husband, William of Chillicothe; one son, John A. Morris of Chillicothe; one sister, Linda Tucker of Elgin; stepchildren, Patrick Prather of Chillicothe, Rhonda Tank of Peoria and Neil Prather of Peoria. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Ryan Tank, Nathaniel Prather and Nicholas Prather along with several family members residing in Jacksonville. She was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother.
Evelyn formerly worked for the State of Illinois in the Peoria regional office of the Attorney General.
Her past civic involvements included president of the Illinois Association of Senior Citizens, vice chairperson of Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity, regional coordinator for the Seven County Senior Advocacy Conference, chairman of the Chillicothe Township Heart Fund Drive, Board of Directors for Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce and the Rural Peoria County Council on Aging, Advisory Council for PCCEO Foster Grandparent Program and the Community Workshop and Training Center and co-chairman of Chillicothe's Claud-Elen Days Festival.
Evelyn served as past president, past state membership chairman and also the 17th Congressional co-coordinator of the Illinois Democratic Women. Her local political involvement included serving as campaign manager for her husband's campaigns, and volunteering for several local state and national campaigns including Attorney General Hartigan and Jeanne Simon.
Graveside services will be held at 12 p.m. on Wednesday at the Diamond Grove Cemetery in Jacksonville. The Rev. Christopher L. Ashmore will officiate. Services are under the direction of Weber-Hurd Funeral Home 1107 North 4th Street, Chillicothe, IL. 61523. Memorials may be made to Rescue 33 or the St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Peoria. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.weberhurdfuneralhome.com.