Donald Pranger

Donald M. Pranger, 78, a resident of rural Churubusco, died unexpectedly at 8:20 a. m. on Monday, January 28, 2008, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. He had entered the hospital on Sunday after becoming ill. Mr. Pranger was born in Allen County near Huntertown on May 11, 1929, a son of Frank H. and Elizabeth (Pepe) Pranger. He spent his formative years in the Huntertown-area and graduated from Huntertown High School. As a young man he served with the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict, and was married in Churubusco on August 23, 1952 to Barbara E. McGuire. The couple lived all of their adult lives in the Churubusco community, and had lived at their present home in Smith Township since 1972. He had been employed at Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company in Fort Wayne for 30 years, retiring from the stock room there in 1992. A member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church, he enjoyed RV camping, flying ultra-lite planes, and enjoyed wintering in Okeechobee and Sebring, Florida for many years. Mrs. Pranger preceded him in death on July 21, 2004. The surviving relatives include his son Donald B. Pranger of Churubusco; a sister Deloris Bock of Fort Wayne; a sister-in-law Lavon Pranger of Fort Wayne; three grandchildren David (Katie) Pranger of Fort Wayne, Andy (Amber) Pranger of Mansfield, Ohio, and Elizabeth Pranger of Churubusco; and two great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers Harold Pranger and Walter Pranger. Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Friday, February 1, at the Churubusco United Methodist Church with Pastor Christine Newman- Jacobs, officiating. The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Thursday from 2 to 8 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment with military graveside rites will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Churubusco United Methodist Church or First Assembly of God, Fort Wayne. *************************** To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. Pranger's memory, please click on "Condolences" below. . .