PERSHING-  Mark Steven Prather, 69, passed away Tuesday morning March 9, 2021 at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana.  A son of the late Bill and Betty (French) Prather, Mark was born in New Castle, Indiana on July 31, 1951.  Mark has lived most of his life in the Pershing community and graduated from Lincoln High School in Cambridge City.  He was a member of the class of 1969 and played on the varsity football team.  Following high school Mark enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served his country from June 11, 1969 until being honorably discharged on June 9, 1972.  He worked for J.S. Sweet Construction and retired from the State of Indiana Department of Transportation in 2018 after 10 years of service.  Mark was a member of the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and New Castle V.F.W.  He loved to spend time with his family, watch his grandkids participate in sports and in his leisure, take rides on his Harley Davidson.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, the former Judith Ann Flatter.  They were married in Hamilton, Ohio on September 22, 1982; 3 step-children, James (Robin) Burns, John (Sarah) Burns and JoAnna (Mark Reisert) Burns; 8 grandchildren, Katie, Eli and Brandon Burns, Tim and Matt Fields, Megan Caine, Ciara and Tyler Reisert; 3 great grandchildren, Gunner, Keaton and Mattie; 1 brother, James Craig (Debbie) Prather; 2 nieces, Jennifer and Jessica.  Mark was preceded in death by a grandson, Kyle Burns on October 30, 2020.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Friday March 12, 2021 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church- 333 W. Maple Street, Cambridge City, IN 47327.  Fr. John Hall will officiate.  Burial with military honors provided by contingents of the United States Marine Corps and the New Castle V.F.W. will follow at Zion's Lutheran Cemetery in Pershing.