Kermit L. Prater

Kermit L. Prater of Brookfield, OH passed away early Friday morning, August 12, 2011 at 7:45A.M. at the Sharon Regional Hospital following a brief illness. He was 80 years old. Mr. Prater was born on June 7, 1931 in Bluefield, VA the son of William Johnson and Grace Prater-Johnson. He was a graduate of Springfield High School and went on to serve his country in the United States Army from 1952-1955 in Germany during the Korean War. Following his discharge Kermit went on to marry the former Patricia Lynne Sippola in November of 1968 and with her would share their three daughters. Kermit worked in the trucking industry for more than forty-years as a Diesel Mechanic and Truck Driver last working for Penske Truck Leasing before his retirement in 1995. He was a member of V.F.W. in New Springfield, OH, and had always enjoyed playing the lottery, tinkering in his garage, and playing cards. He was an avid fan of the Brookfield Warriors but above all he cherished spending time with his beloved grandchildren. He is survived by his three daughters Pamela Iarussi and her husband Ron of Struthers, OH, Candace Candor of Hubbard, OH, and Karen Gough and her husband Bryan of Cortland, OH, his brother William "Larry" Johnson and his wife Debbie of Boardman, OH, his five beloved grandchildren Keary and AJ Iarussi, Caden Candor, and Eli and Ella Gough, and his special friends Tim and Karen Mohney who visited him daily. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, and his daughter Trudy Lynn Prater. Calling hours for friends will be held on Sunday evening August 14, 2011 from 4-7:00PM at the Madasz Funeral Chapel in Brookfield, OH. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10:00AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Brookfield Township Cemetery where full military honors will be provided. As an expression of sympathy the family request that contributions be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.