Frederick Knight Prager, 86, of Peoria, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 26, 2022. He was born on March 27, 1936, in Morgantown, West Virginia, son of Edward and Esther (Gibson) Prager. He married Roberta Macfarlane on June 6, 1959, in Charleston, West Virginia. He is preceded in death by his parents; and sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Duane Johnson. In addition to his wife, Bobbie, Fred is survived by two daughters, Cindie (Ron) Saey of Kewanee, Illinois and Stephanie (Bill) Hamrick of Grayslake, Illinois; three grandchildren, Ryan (Tayler), Jessie, and Aly Hamrick; four step-grandchildren, Kim (Greg) Johnson, Tami (Jamie) Bryan, Kelli (James) Rashid, and Kerri (Tony) Saey; one great-grandchild, Michael Knight; and three step-great-grandchildren, Jakob, Jace, and Connor; niece, Heather Weissert and nephew Rick Johnson.
Fred was a proud ‘Eer’, a graduate of West Virginia University, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the WVU Marching Band. After service in the U.S. Army, Fred launched a long career with Montgomery Ward leading his family to seven cities in five states. In 1976 Fred settled in Peoria where he managed Dawson’s Home Center and finished his career as a regional sales manager with Multi-Ad, Inc. He served his community in many roles including Suburban Kiwanis Club, SCORE, and the Dunlap High School Athletic Booster Club.
Fred never met a stranger and used his gift of relationship building to strengthen his family, friends, faith, and community. He joyfully served as an elder at Northminster Presbyterian Church where he is remembered for his “six foot rule” welcoming all within his reach. He was blessed with musical talent and passionately shared it with others from his jazz ensemble “The Moonlighters” to the church choir. After playing high school basketball, Fred continued his love of sport as an avid fan of the Dunlap Eagles, the Fighting Illini, the Chicago Cubs, and the WVU Mountaineers.
Relatives and friends are invited to the celebration of life gathering at Northminster Presbyterian Church on Friday, July 1, 2022 from 4 - 7pm. A celebration of life service will be held at Northminster Presbyterian Church, officiated by Dr. Bob Jordan, on Saturday, July 2, 2022 at 11 a.m. with lunch following. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Northminster Presbyterian Church or Lutheran Hillside Village Foundation.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the loving care provided by the REACH and Care Center staff at Lutheran Hillside Village and OSF Hospice.
Online condolences may by left for Fred’s family at www.woolsey-wilton.com.
DONATIONS
Northminster Presbyterian Church or Lutheran Hillside Village Foundation
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