Doris E. Ward Prater, age 99, passed away on March 13, 2020, at Mary Rutan Hospital, Bellefontaine, Ohio. Born in Logan County on January 16, 1921, to Jesse M. and Hazel M. Stutzman Headings, Doris was welcomed to the family by her brother, Boyd V. Headings.
Mrs. Prater graduated from DeGraff High School Class of 1939 and from the Springfield City Hospital School of Nursing in 1943 earning her license as a registered nurse. On December 18, 1942, Doris married Stewart R. Ward in Covington, Kentucky. After 58 years, Stewart preceded Doris in death on August 15, 2000.
A lifelong member of the Philadelphia Lutheran Church, Doris taught Sunday School classes, was a member of the Ladies Aid Society, and served as communion steward and vacation bible school teacher. In the early 1940s, Doris was employed at Wilson Memorial Hospital and in the early 1970s at Mary Rutan Hospital. Doris devoted most of her adult life raising her children, supporting her family, and participating in the daily operation of the family farm.
On April 15, 2002, Doris was married to Russell I. Prater, who survives in West Liberty. She and Russell enjoyed their senior years together, first in Marion, Ohio then as residents of the Green Hills Community.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, her daughter, Kathy R. Ward, her first husband, Stewart R. Ward, and her son-in-law, Neil E. Dawson.
Doris is survived by Michael R. (Sheila) Ward of Bellefontaine, and their son Christopher Ward, Dennis L. (Sherry) Ward of Waterville, and his children, Stacy R. (Chris) Beckner and Steven R. (Erika) Ward, Deann Y. Ward of Yellow Springs, Mark D. (Teresa) Ward of DeGraff, and his children Alison (Chris) Adams, Elizabeth (Steven) Wolf, and Rebekah (Lance) Troyer. Doris is also survived by her husband, Russell I. Prater and his children, Stephen (Nancy) Prater of Dublin and Mark (Susan Roush) Prater of Wakefield, Rhode Island and their son Christopher. Mrs. Prater is survived by 4 additional grandchildren, Beth (Mark) Collins, Michelle (Kelly) Taylor, Jill Worrell, and Kellea (Sean) Wilkinson, 26 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.