Calvin Cecil Prater, 98, of Waterloo, Illinois (formerly Fredericktown, Missouri) died on October 19, 2023, at Mercy Hospital South, St. Louis, Missouri.

He was born on February 12, 1925, in Bragg City, Missouri, the son of the late Lloyd Wilson Prater and Nellie Catherine (nee Hartwell).

Calvin met the love of his life, Betty Lorene (nee Scott), who survives him, and they were married 77 years.

They loved traveling the USA.

Calvin served in the Navy in World War II. He was a VFW member and a proud veteran. He expressed deep gratitude by participation in the military funeral honors.

He worked extremely hard all his life and retired from Cassens Transit, where he transported Chryslers from the automobile plant in Fenton, Missouri.

Calvin and Betty have five surviving children, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, two brothers, and three sisters.

Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.

Life is not always easy to live, but the opportunity to live 98 years is a blessing beyond comprehension.  We will miss Dad but as two of his grandsons said, "He had a good run."