Robert B. Prather

Robert B. Prather, 89, passed away at 12:53 p.m. at UPMC Hamot in Erie, on Thursday, July 21st. Born August 8, 1926, in Oil City, Bob was the son of the late William Benjamin and Sarah Mabel Merven Prather.Two years after his birth, his parents began a series of moves that continued over the next fifteen years of his life: Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania - Forest County, Stoneboro, and Erie. Their next move was to Oklahoma, then returning to Pennsylvania and living near Titusville. They then moved to Florida and then once again returned to Pennsylvania.On Bob's 17th birthday, he enlisted in the US Army Air Force during WWII. While in the Army Air Force, he was the recipient of the WWII Victory Ribbon. Bob was honorably discharged from the military on October 23, 1946.Bob was first married to Jean Ames from Oil City on June 1, 1946 at Keesler Field, Mississippi. They had one daughter, Linda. After returning home from the Service, he worked 9 years at Franklin Steel as Payroll Supervisor, and bought his first home in Franklin, where he has lived for the past 67 years. During this time, he went to night school at Welch's Business College and received a diploma in accounting. He also worked at Dean Phipps Store, and sold World Book Encyclopedias for a while.During this period in his life, Bob had a radio program at WKRZ in Oil City, and later had a weekly program in Kittanning. His wife, Jean and daughter, Linda, were part of his group, which was called "The Sunset Valley Folks". Bob eventually served as MC for a Saturday morning country show. For several years, this group performed at theaters and fairs in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York, including performances at the Stoneboro Fair, the Wattsburg Fair, and the Rocky Grove Firemen's Fair.In 1956, Bob became a Prudential Insurance Special Agent. After a short time serving as a Rural Assistant Manger, he started his own agency, 'Prather Insurance'.In the 1960's, The Sunset Valley Folk's produced several Hootenannies (which were popular at the time) in Franklin, Oil City, and Clarion. Also during this time, Bob became very interested in photography and joined the Venango Camera Club in Oil City, where he was active for over 20 years, served as president for a year, and was named "Photographer of the Year".After the death of his first wife, Jean, in 1984, Bob married Angela Joy Bruno of Oil City on November 9, 1985. They recently celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary in November 2015. Angela had worked at Prather Insurance for about 6 months before they were married. She was responsible for supervising the office, and when Bob retired, Angela continued to operate the agency for several more years. Bob said, "It was a miracle to find Angela and enjoy our lives together over the past 30 years."Bob had many hobbies all his life: hunting, fishing, baseball, photography, music, and model railroading. Angela was a big supporter in these endeavors, and they traveled all over the country attending train shows and conventions. Bob also owned and operated a model train shop for more than 15 years. He attended the First Baptist Church in Franklin for more than 30 years, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, and Elder. He was also an active member of the Franklin Kiwanis for many years.Bob said his life was much richer because of 4 pets that he dearly loved, especially his most recent cat, Charlie Bumpkin; however, nothing could compare with the love of his family and the life he shared with them.Bob is survived by his wife, Angela; his daughter, Linda Linn; his 6 step-children, Mark (Laura) Steele, Angela (Maureen Gootee) Steele, Matthew Steele, Mary (Todd) Steele/Dame, Joseph Steele, and Martha (Richard) Dewald.He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lori (Andrew) Smith, Robert (Bethany) Linn, Alicia (Michael) Sanford, Jonathon Deemer, Seth Rudduck, Katie Deemer, Emily Schaaf, Aaron (Ariel) Rudduck, Maggie Deemer, Sarah (Kevin) Stephenson, Mark and Amy Dewald, and Gavin, Alton and Alma Steele; and his great-grandchildren, William Rudduck, Aubrey Jo Deemer, Maximus Williams, Olivia Stephenson, Landon Stephenson, Desmond Schaaf, and Mason Sanford.Bob is additionally survived by his 2 brothers-in-law, Earl Ames and Eugene (Patty) Rhodes; his sister-in-law, Frances Bruno Rodgers; numerous nieces and nephews (especially Anna Rodgers Turco); and many, many friends (especially the Lew Lindsey Jr. family and Michael Burkhardt).In addition to his parents and first wife, Bob was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Gary Linn; his sisters-in-law, Rhea Jean Ames, Faye Ames Rhodes, Rosalia Bruno Petulla, Josephine Bruno Kulinski, Bessie Bruno Puleo; his step-son, Michael Steele; his 2 grandsons, Joseph M. Steele, Jr., and Christian Rudduck.Family and friends of Bob will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin on Monday, July 25th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at the Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 26th, with Rev. Dr. Rob Guy, officiating. Interment will be in the Franklin Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by the local V.E.T.S. Honor Guard.To send flowers, cards, online condolences, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.