Mark D. Prather

Meadville attorney Mark D. Prather, 63, died Saturday, July 2, 2005 in Pittsburgh, following a long struggle with cancer.

He was born September 5, 1941 in Meadville to Frank D. and June Zeitler Prather.  He grew up in Meadville, graduated from Meadville High School and received his under graduate and law degrees from Duke University in Durham, NC.

He followed a family line of attorneys that began with his grandfather, Judge Thomas J. Prather and began his practice in 1965 with his father in the law firm of Prather and Prather.  He practiced many years with his brother-in-law, William Pineo and also his son and daughter-in-law Ross C. and Libby Prather.

He was an attorney in Crawford County’s early Public Defender’s Office and served as president of the Crawford County Bar Association.  He was especially knowledgeable in Real Estate and Estate practice and was warmly regarded by his clients as an accessible and practical attorney.  He was also a lifetime member of Stone United Methodist Church.

Mark married Carol Schroeder in 1962 in Durham, NC.  They enjoyed 43 years of marriage and she provided endless comfort and support during his last illness.  He is survived by his mother, June Prather Good of Meadville; two sons, J.D. Prather of Raleigh, NC and Ross C. Prather and his wife Libby of Meadville; a daughter, Kathryn Prather O’Connor and her husband Leo of Salt Lake City, UT; two brothers, Thomas M. Prather of Wilmington, NC and F. Lee Prather and his wife Terri of Ojai, CA; three sisters, Patricia Pineo and her husband William of Conneaut Lake, Mary Sue Prather of Lisbon, Portugal and Sally Kyvernitis and her husband George of King of Prussia, PA and six young grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father in 1980 and one brother, William Prather.

Mark will be remembered fondly for his passion for life.  He was a skilled woodworker and he appreciated sailboats and motorcycles and raced both.  He had a strong interest in books, especially biographies.  He had a sharp mind, a keen wit and an indomitable and independent character and he dearly loved his family.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

The funeral service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main Street, Meadville with the Rev. Cathy Newport, Pastor and the Rev. William L. Brown, Assoc. Pastor, officiating.

Burial will be in Greendale Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335 or Watson Run Presbyterian Church, 13594 Harmonsburg, Road, Meadville, PA 16335