Mary Belle (Moussette) Prather

Mary Belle Prather, 83, passed away peacefully at 7:29am Monday, April 22, 2024 at her home in Wood River surrounded by her family.

She was born on December 5, 1940 in East St. Louis, Illinois, one of three children born to the late Daniel and Lila (Gambill) Moussette. After Daniel’s passing, Lila then married Earl Oliver who held a special place in Mary’s heart until his passing.

She married Carl Prather on November 5, 1994 and together they shared 26 years of marriage before his passing in December 2020.

Mary loved the Lord and exemplified what it meant to be a Christian in how she treated others and conducted herself every day. She was a longtime devoted member of the Bethalto Church of God and loved attending church.

After graduating from Central Beauty School as a licensed cosmetologist, Mary started her own business, Mary’s Beauty Shop in 1968 where she dedicated most of her time for the last 60+ years making everyone feel and look their best. Her work ethic was unmatchable. She didn’t know a stranger and was always helping those in need. That’s why you came to her shop. People wanted to be around her. Whether to spill their troubles, get pampered, or just have someone to talk to – her door was always open, and she created many lasting friendships throughout the years especially with her best friend, Vicki Nance.

She took pride in her work but by far her greatest joys in life were being a loving mother and a proud and doting grandmother. Nothing made her smile more than her family whom she loved to brag about. No matter how busy Mary was, she always made sure she was there to support her two sons, Gurk and Mike Van Hoose in their sports activities growing up. Many memories were created throughout their youth with their mom that will last a lifetime including the times spent with Bill Scoggins, who was like a brother to them as well as their prior stepfather, Don Scoggins. In addition to her love of bowling, one of her favorite things to do in her free time was fishing. Even after having health challenges in the last couple of years, she did not pass up an opportunity to go fishing and always caught a fish.

Mary is survived by her two sons with William “Bill” Van Hoose:  William “Gurk” (Lisa) Van Hoose of Jerseyville and Michael (Missy) Van Hoose of Wood River; a stepson Kirk (Stacy) Prather of Godfrey; three grandchildren: Tiffany (Chas) Walker of Edwardsville, Cody (Samantha) Van Hoose of Moscow Mills, Missouri, and Rachel (Randy) Roentz of Jerseyville; and 14 great grandchildren: Kaden Van Hoose, Faith Van Hoose, Hailee Van Hoose, Gracie Van Hoose, Ashton Van Hoose, Claire Beemer, Caytline Beemer, Chloe Beemer, Cora Roentz, Joseph Johnson, Braden Johnson, Juner Green, Emily Green, and Rory Walker. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and longtime friends who will deeply miss her.  A special thanks to Sue Bick for all her support and help in the last 2-1/2 years with Mary as her health gradually declined.

In addition to her husband and her parents and stepfather, she was preceded in death by three grandsons, Billy Van Hoose, Dustin Van Hoose, and Joseph Johnson; a stepson Cary Prather and stepdaughter Jennifer Hunter; her brother and sister-in-law, Danny and Darlene Moussette, and sister and brother-in-law, Lila and Wayne Cline. 

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 2nd at Bethalto Church of God in Bethalto, Illinois from 10am to 1:00pm with funeral services immediately following with Jacob Skelton officiating.

Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.

Memorials may be made to Bethalto Church of God.

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