Ernest Morton "Ernie" Prator

TRIBUNE-PAID OBIT WITH 2 PHOTOS Ernest Morton "Ernie" Prater, Sr. 90 of Warren, and formerly of 700 Buckeye St. N.W. passed away Thursday evening, May 23, 2013, at Community Skilled Health Care Centre in Warren, following a lengthy illness. He was born January 30, 1923 in Paintsville, Kentucky, the son of the late Wilbur H. and Mahala Jane Adams Prater. Ernie was a 1941 graduate of Paintsville High School. During WWII from 1943-46, he served as a technician in the Signal Service Battalion of the US Army, stationed in China, Ceylon and India. He was a graduate of the American Television and Industrial Electronics in Chicago. Ernie was employed by Consolidated Bowling-Laurel Lanes as chief mechanic for 20 years, retiring in 1987. Ernie loved animals, especially his family dogs, Thunder and Brutus and his cat, Smokey. He enjoyed fishing, studying archeology, history, WWII history, classical and big band music, famous works of art and was a talented photographer. He was a member of Christ Memorial Baptist Church for many years. Ernie is survived by four sons, Ernest M. Prater, Jr. and Gregory Paul Prater both of Colorado Springs, David Lee Prater and stepson, John Butcher both of Warren; nine grandchildren, David James, Amanda, Kyle, Robert, Sabrina, Adam, Sarah, Justin and Grace; several great grandchildren and his special friends and caregivers, Ken and Carla Kahler of Howland. Besides his parents; one brother, Paul Morson Prater and his son, Lawrence Anthony Prater have preceded him in death. The Kahler family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of Ernie's wonderful caregivers at Community Skilled Centre; his physician, Dr. Kapil Kwatra and to Kathy and Bonnie Bridgens of Warren, for their loving and caring support. The funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Lane Family Funeral Homes, Roberts-Clark Chapel in Warren, where the family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Burial will be at Howland Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Ernie's memory may be made to the Trumbull County Animal Welfare League, 545 Brunstetter Road, Warren, OH 44481. Online condolences may be made to the family and the obituary viewed at www.robertsclarkchapel.com