Lt. Col. Donald D. Pray Retired

Mr. Pray retired after 23 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, serving as a Master Navigator and Commander of Petroleum and Cryogenics for MAC and SAC. He was also employed by Belleville Area College (SWIC), and the State of Illinois, as a job service and Veteran’s representative. He received his Associates of Arts degree from, Belleville Area College; Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Science in Education Degree, from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, who will be truly missed by all that knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon P. Pray and Veronica nee Byrzyck, McNeil, and step-father, Capt. William J. McNeil.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Rosemary nee, Kelley, Pray, of Fairview Heights, Illinois; his children, Patricia (Steven) Reichling, of Belleville, Ill., Pamela Thomas, of O’Fallon, Ill., Donna (Donald) Sirko, of Edwardsville, Ill., Diane (Bob) Childers, of Collinsville, Ill., Mary (Walter) Cooper, of Opdyke, Ill., and Paul Pray, of O’Fallon, Ill.; his grandchildren, Rachel (Joe) Schaal, Rebecca (Marty) Steinacher, Stephanie (Stephen) Schwartz, David (Anne Marie Hill) Sirko, Rob Childers, James “J.D.” Childers, and Anthony Cooper; great grandchildren, Piper, Kennedy, Addalyn, and Allison; sisters, Mary (Thomas) Hayden, Midland, Michigan, and Barbara (Louis) Satkowiak, of Auburn, Michigan; and other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Memorials are appreciated to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church or Hospice of So. Illinois. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, July 11, 2011, at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Ill., and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 12 , 2011, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Funeral: A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, Ill., with Fr. Ray Schultz officiating. Interment will be held immediately following in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Ill.