Dwight Eugene Pray, 94, of Coffeen, IL, passed away on November 30, 2013 at 11:57 a.m. at his residence in Coffeen, IL. He was born on August 21, 1919 in Rosamond, IL; the son of Hardin and Grace (Beattie) Pray. He was married to Frances Kettelkamp on February 1, 1948 in the South Fork United Methodist Church in rural Nokomis, IL. He was a retired dairy farmer. He raised beef cattle and was a craftsman who enjoyed woodworking. He made many toys and other things for his family and friends. He was a member of the Montgomery County Farm Bureau and the Coffeen United Methodist Church in Coffeen, IL. Dwight was a U.S. Army veteran who served in WWII from 1941 until 1945. H was given a battlefield commission to 2nd Lt. He landed at Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. After fighting through the hedgerows against the Germans his unit was seriously deleted. He is a decorated veteran who was wounded in both legs during combat earning him two Purple Heart Medals. At the age of 91 he was and able to go on an Honor Flight with seven family members to Washington, D.C. where he was honored. Dwight was a quiet spoken man who always thought before he spoke. He was kind and friendly. He is survived by his wife, Frances, sons: Dwight L. (Marcia) Pray of Harrisburg and Delmar (Marsha) Pray of Nokomis, IL; daughters: Eugenia(Mike) Barham of Thayer, IL, Phyllis (Larry) Schraut of Hillsboro, IL and Karen (Ron) Lawrence of Litchfield, IL; twelve grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; five step-grandsons; brother, Perle Pray of Assumption, IL. He was preceded by his parents, brother, Merle (Roberta) Pray and nephew, Roger Pray.
Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at Coffeen United Methodist Church, 300 W. Main St., Coffeen, IL and Wednesday, December 4, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Sutton Funeral Home in Nokomis, IL. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at the Sutton Funeral Home in Nokomis with Pastor John Walsh officiating. Burial will be at Kettelkamp Cemetery in rural Nokomis with Military Rites accorded by Waple-Bauer American Legion Post #94.
Memorials may be made to Kettelkamp Cemetery, c/o Roger Bauman, 22275 East 24th Rd., Nokomis, IL 62075
Arrangements by Sutton Funeral Home, Nokomis, IL.
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