Gary Pruden

Gary Lyle Pruden, age 79, of Versailles, Illinois passed away at 11:39 a.m. Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Heritage Health, Therapy and Senior Care in Mt. Sterling.  

Gary was born April 4, 1941 in Cooperstown Township of Brown County, Illinois the son of Hoyt John and Mary Helen Sorrells Pruden.  He married Shirley Norvell on August 29, 1959 in the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Sterling and she survives. 

Gary graduated from Brown County High School with the class of 1959 and then graduated from Kirksville State Teachers College in Kirksville, Missouri with a bachelor's degree in 1963. 

Following college, Mr. Pruden began a career as a teacher and coach in Carrollton, Illinois for the next 14 years.  He then moved back to Brown County where he worked for Logsdon Brothers Construction for many years and later was able to start his own business, Pruden Construction in Mt. Sterling,  which he owned and operated until retiring in 2017.  Over the many years in business Gary was proud to have built over 25 homes in Brown County.  Gary purchased the family farm in Versailles in 1987 and he built a home there that he was very proud of and also enjoyed being a grain and livestock farmer.  

Gary was dedicated to his community and served the residents of Brown County in numerous capacities including serving as chairman of the Brown County Republican Central Committee for many years, was a member of Brown County school board for 9 years and had served as President of the board of the ABS Water Co-Operative for several years.  

He was also an avid hunter and fisherman.  

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Pruden of Versailles.   2 children John Michael Pruden and Kim Dunn (Greg) all of Versailles.  1 sister Sandra Jones of Huntsville, Alabama.  5 grandchildren Jeremy Pruden (Leah), Kara Dunn, Jared Pruden (Megan), Erin Turner (Kenneth) and Blake Dunn.  11 great grandchildren also survive along with several nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

We know that Gary deserves a beautiful tribute and understand that under normal circumstances many friends would love to attend.  But sadly due to the current health situation and under the direction of the local health department, the services are to be conducted with only immediate family members in attendance. 

Friends are encouraged to watch Gary’s services streaming live at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 on the funeral home website at hendrickerfuneralhome.com. 

There will be no visitation. 

Memorials are suggested to the Brown County Ambulance Service or Brown County Against Cancer and may be left at or mailed to the Hendricker Funeral Home, 406 South Capitol Avenue, Mt. Sterling, IL 62353.

Condolences for the family may be left on line at www.hendrickerfuneralhome.com. 

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gary Pruden, please visit our floral store.