Rev Jerry L Prairie

Jerry L. Prairie, passed away Sunday, October 27, 2013 at the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno. He was born July 1, 1931 in South Bend, Indiana, the son of Cecil and Marie (Johnson) Prairie. Jerry served in the U.S. Marines from 1951-1953 during the Korean War. He was married to the former Audrey Lona on October 2, 1954. He worked as a bricklayer, truck driver and a well driller before entering Bob Jones University to study for the ministry. He later served two years at First Baptist Church in Ruskin, Florida as an associate pastor and twenty-five years as senior pastor at Black Lake Baptist in Muskegon, Michigan. His hobbies were woodworking and bicycle repair. Surviving is his wife, one son; Tim (Tammy) Prairie of Chattanooga, TN., one daughter; Rachel (Mark) Rose of Holland, MI., two daughter''s-in-Law; Wendy Prairie of Jackson, MI, and Debbie McLean of Lexington, KY., one sister; Winifred Beebe of Woodstock GA., one brother; David (Judy) of Chebanse, fifteen grandchildren, five Great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by five sons: Jonathan, Philip, Steve, Mark and Joel, one grandson; Jeremiah Prairie, one daughter-in-Law; Jan and one brother Arthur. Visitation Wednesday, October 30, 2013 from 10:00 until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church - Momence, IL with Rev. Judean Benston officiating. Momence Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.