Sfc Daniel J. Pratt

AUSTINTOWN-Mass of Christian will be offered at 10AM Saturday, November 12, 2005 in St. Christine Catholic Church with the Rev. Msgr. David W. Rhodes officiating for SFC Daniel J. Pratt who passed away suddenly Thursday, November 3, 2005 in An Nasiriyah, Irag while serving his country. Dan was born on December 12, 1956 in Camden, New Jersey and was the son of James H. and Madeline E. (Oldrati) Pratt Sr. and moved to Austintown 20 years ago. Dan was a 1976 graduate of Williamstown High School, where he lettered in Cross Country, played Indoor and Outdoor Track, and played freshman football. Dan was Freshman Class President and was president of Key Club. Dan attended William Faulkner Jr. College and South Eastern Louisiana College. Dan was employed prior to deployment as a service foreman at Fyda Frieghtliner in Austintown for the last seven years. Dan was currently serving in Irag as a Sergeant First Class with the 211th Maintenance Company, 129th Logistics Task Force. Dan was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on August 31st 2005 for excellent leadership towards the Company. Dan was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Ohio Distinguished Service Medal, Ohio Faithful Service Ribbon, Ohio Award of Merit Ribbon, and the Ohio Recruiters Achievement Ribbon. Dan was due home on December 9, 2005. Dan was a member of the Ohio Army National Guard 211th Maintenance Company out of Newark, Ohio. Dan was a member of St. Christine Catholic Church, the Fraternal Order of Eagles # 3298 of Austintown, and the American Legion Post #301 of Austintown. Dan was also an assistant soccer coach for St. Christine School. Dan wed the former Linda J. Selitski on November 7, 1985 in Sea Side Heights, New Jersey. Dan and Linda would have celebrated their 20th Wedding Anniversary this past Monday. Dan will be sadly missed by his wife Linda, a son Daniel Robert Pratt who is a Freshman at Kent State University in Kent, a daughter Lindsey June Pratt at home; two brothers James H. (Joanna) Pratt Jr. of Williamstown, NJ; and Kenneth R. (Letha) Pratt of Walterboro, SC; three sisters Donna M. (Lawrence) Thompson of Sewell, NJ, Linda S. (Dennis) Doyle of Franklinville, NJ, and Lorraine M. (Kenny) Boyer of Williamstown, NJ; his father and mother-in-law Robert W. and Vera J. Selitski of Austintown; numerous aunts and uncles; fourteen nieces and nephews and eight great nieces and nephews. Dan was preceded in death by his parents. Dan proudly served his country. Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 PM on Veteran’s Day Friday, November 11, 2005 in the Lane Funeral Home Austintown Chapel, where closing prayers will be recited at 9:20 AM Saturday. Dan will be laid to rest with Full Active Duty Military Honors in Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown. In Lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Dan’s memory to St. Christine Catholic Church 3165 S. Schenley Rd, Youngstown, OH 44511.