Robert Dale "Bobby Dale" Prather

Robert Dale “Bobby Dale” Prather, 81, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 12:29 pm Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL, with Pastor Gary Barnes officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to the family. 

Bobby Dale was born on November 1, 1944, in Mattoon, IL, the son of Robert Alonzo and Alice Ioane (Snow) Prather. In his younger years, Bobby Dale worked in construction before earning his CDL. He then worked as a truck driver for Greenstein Trucking and Moritz Concrete. Bobby Dale also enjoyed driving cars for Boarman Motors, Ed Boarman Motors and Grabb Motors. He married Marcia Bly on November 1, 2004, and they enjoyed attending their grandchildren’s sporting events, going to the boat to gamble, and nightly drives to see the deer. He was a member of the former Fraternal Order of the Eagles in Shelbyville and could regularly be found watching Yellowstone and Dutton Ranch on TV. Bobby Dale often called his kids to give them advice and was always the first to help someone in need.

Bobby Dale is survived by his wife, Marcia; sons, James Prather of Shumway, IL, Jonathon Prather (Kim) of Iola, IL, Jeremy Williamson (Sharlynn) of Cowden , IL, Josh Binnion (Kristin) of Shelbyville, IL, Thomas Oller (Alicia) of Shelbyville, IL, and Jacob Prather (Taylor) of Shelbyville, IL; daughter, Jessica Prather (Brandon) of Shelbyville, IL; sisters, Debbie Denton (Terry) of Vera, IL, and Cathy Ashe-Prather of Gays, IL; brothers, Larry Redman (Beth) of Vandalia, IL, and David Prather (Charlotte) of Mattoon, IL; 25 grandchildren, Jamie Prather, Justin Prather, Tanner Prather, Hayvin Prather, Jocelyn Prather, Jonathan Prather, Chloe Prather, Bailey Shain, Jersey Binnion, Brayden Hubbard, Joshua “Wheelyn” Binnion, Hazelyn Binnion, Justyce Prather, Jacob Prather, Jayce Prather, Damon Gatons, Jensyn Prather, Kayden Cole, Reyna Prather, Dakota Williamson, Donavan Williamson, Gage Kramer, Braxton White, Jaydon Vice, and Lilyann Price; 15 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Kay Mingus and Brenda McQueen.