Richard C. Prenger, age 95, of Centralia, died Thursday, August 11, 2022 at home in Centralia.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 am, Friday, August 19, 2022 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Centralia, with Fr. I.C. Medina officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Glendale Memorial Gardens in Centralia.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home in Centralia.
The Rosary will be led by Knights of Columbus at 4:30pm Thursday at the funeral home.
Mr. Prenger was born on June 25, 1927, in Cole County, MO, the son of Lawrence H. and Ida (Thessen) Prenger, both of whom preceded him in death. He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Wright on August 7, 1948. She preceded him in death on June 28, 2006.
Richard was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and American Legion. Mr. Prenger served in the US Navy during World War II. In late 1959, he moved his young family to Centralia to pursue a dream of opening a grocery store. He became a successful businessman and supportive community member. Above all else, he treasured his family. Until his last days, he was still teasing and pestering his great-grandchildren, just like he did with the previous generation. The “little ones” always put a smile on his face. He leaves a legacy of his strong Catholic faith, love of family, and his desire to serve his community with love, kindness, and grace. As he always said, “It’s a great life.”
He leaves behind a large family who will miss him dearly. He is survived by five children, Gary (Carol) of Macon, Daryl (Sandy) of Centralia, Rick (Regina) of Marceline, Mark (Susan) of Centralia and Kevin (Angie) of Macon; 14 grandchildren: Mickie (Craig) Kuckelman, Kelly (Scott) Gibson, Brandon (Jessica) Prenger, Amber (Tyler) Fiedler, Michelle (Dave) Hammond, Ashley (Derek) Smashey, Courtney (Lee) Schreiner, Rich (Catie) Prenger, Tanna (Mark) Ross, Vanessa (Jason) Ridgel, Haley (Jerod) Bargar, Schuyler (Becca) Prenger, Amanda (Jesse) Halley and Amelia (Beau) White; 33 great grandchildren: Brooke (Kevin) O’Grady, Ellie Kuckelman, Chloe Kuckelman, Tyler Gibson, Gracie Gibson, Peyton Prenger, Thessen Prenger, Sydney Prenger, Aiden Blackstun, Lia Fiedler, Easton Fiedler, Addison Hammond, Kylee Hammond, Brendan Smashey, Chandler Smashey, Trenten Schreiner, Gaven Schreiner, Brecklyn Schreiner, Raelyn Schreiner, Valli Prenger, Blaire Prenger, Rikki Lee Prenger, Brady Ross, Colson Ross, Abigail Ridgel, Kassena Ridgel, Jacelynn Prenger, Brooklynn Bargar, Jayden Bargar, Bowen Bargar, Gibson Prenger, Jack Halley, and Katherine Halley and 2 great great grandchildren: Carter O’Grady and Kennedy O’Grady. In addition to his wife of 58 years, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Sharon Ann, who died in infancy and one grandson, Kyle Prenger. He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Alfred, Jim, Bernard, and Stanley and one sister, Margie.
Memorial donations are suggested to Holy Spirit Catholic Church for Memorial Masses, or Knights of Columbus of Centralia, or the Centralia VFW Post 6276, and may be sent in care of Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home 104 S. Collier St. Centralia, MO 65240.
Online condolences may be left a www.fentonkendrickfh.com
