Prater, Louise Katherine 'Betsy'

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Louise Katherine “Betsy” Prater, 86, of DeGraff, died at 4:23 p.m. Sunday, March 7, 2010, at Mary Rutan Hospital, Bellefontaine.

She was born on Nov. 7, 1923, in Dayton, a daughter of the late Albert G. and Louise B. Hofmann Bussinger.

She was also preceded in death by a brother, Charles Bussinger; a brother-in-law, Charles Forsthoff; brother and sister-in-law, Don and Mozelle Strayer.

On May 29, 1948, she married Jack M. Prater in Dayton and he survives, along with son, Tom (Vicki) Prater of DeGraff; daughters, 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, Jackie Prater of DeGraff; two brothers, George (Sarah) Bussinger of Centerville, Robert (Wendy) Bussinger of California; two sisters-in-law, Adlena Bussinger and Ann Forsthoff, both of Dayton; 11 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

In 1941 she graduated from Julienne High School in Dayton.

She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and Miami Grange No. 2158. Betsy was a homemaker, farmer’s wife and long time poll worker. Prior to marriage she was a civilian worker at Wright Patterson Field.

The Rev. Rev. Patrick L. Sheridan officiated a service at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 11, 2010, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Bellefontaine. Visitation was held from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, at the REXER-RIGGIN-MADDEN FUNERAL HOME, 210 W. Hayes St., DeGraff; (937) 585-5723. Burial was at the Philadelphia Cemetery in Bellefontaine.

The family suggest memorial contributions be made to Riverside EMS and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Condolences may be expressed at www.timeformemory.com/madden.