Ralph Martin Pratt, Md Obituary (1920

Let Us Pause To Honor the Memory of Ralph Martin Pratt, Jr. M.D. Ralph Martin Pratt, Jr. M.D. , age 96, of Madison, Indiana entered this life in Jefferson County, Indiana on December 15, 1920. He was the loving son of the late Ralph M. Sr. and Adele P. "Della" Smith Pratt. He was raised in Brooksburg and graduated high school in 1939. On August 6, 1942 he was united in marriage to Lucille Kosick in Joliet, Illinois. This happy union of 56 years was blessed with three children, Cynthia, Robert W. and Ralph M., III. On December 10, 1943, he was inducted in to the United States Army in Chicago, Illinois during World War II. He rose to the rate of Technician Third Grade serving the Medical Detachment 5th Infantry and served in France, Central Europe, Germany, Rhineland, and Austria. He was honorably discharged on May 4, 1946 at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin receiving the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Medical Badge and Expert Rifle Badge. At the age of 29, he was accepted into the Indiana School of Medicine, where he graduated on September 29, 1955. Dr. Pratt settled back in Madison where he practiced general medicine on Poplar Street for 15 years. He served as the team physician for the Hanover College football program and ran a health clinic for the college students. In May 1971, he received his degree as a clinical pathologist from the University of Louisville Medical School and joined the partnership of "Alcorn, Heaton and Pratt," which provided pathology services to King's Daughters' Hospital, Dearborn County Hospital, Carroll County Hospital, Scott County Hospital and Schenck Memorial Hospital. Dr. Pratt retired from medicine on October 1, 1990 at the age of 70. He had earned his Eagle Scout in 1936 from the Boy Scouts of America, and later became involved with his sons and grandson in the Boy Scouts of America. After retirement, Dr. Pratt received a degree in Computer Information Systems from IVY Tech Madison. He was active in the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Lodge as a 4th degree life-time member, Madison Elks Lodge No. 524, Chairman of Jefferson County SCORE, received the Golden Shamrock Award in 2004 from the Friends of Shawe and Pope John, Volunteer for "End of the Month Meals" Program, Member of the First Jefferson County Catholic School Board, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Catholic Community Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Madison and Jefferson County Community Foundation, Member of the Jefferson County Cancer Society, Board Member of the Indiana State American Cancer Society Sentinel Medical Review Organization Inc., Chairman of the Board for the Professional Standards Review Organization in New Castle, Indiana, Member of the Madison Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1969, Member of Jefferson Post 9 of the American Legion, Member of Board of the IVY Tech Foundation, served as Director from 1980-1995 and then as Chairman of the Board for The Farmers Bank of Milton from 1995 to January 2017 and now Chairman of the Board Emeritus; American Boards of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Past President of the Jefferson - Switzerland Co. Medical Society, and Member of the Board of Jefferson County Health Department. He was elected Jefferson County Coroner in 1968 and served through 1976. He served as Head of Pathology at King's Daughters' Hospital from 1970-1990 and held membership in many professional societies including: Jefferson - Switzerland County Medical Society, Indiana State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and the International Academy of Pathologist. Dr. Pratt was honored in 2008 as the recipient of the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce Jeff Garrett Community Service Award. In 1985, he implemented the Farmers Bank of Milton yearly scholarship to IVY Tech for graduates from Madison, Southwestern and Shawe Memorial High Schools. In 1998, he implemented The Lucille Kosick Pratt yearly scholarship for a graduate of Shawe Memorial High School. It has been said, "Dr. Pratt was one of the finest human beings, who was kind, caring and concerned about his community and its citizens. He will long be remembered." Dr. Pratt died on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at 2:35 p.m. at the King's Daughters' Hospital in Madison, Indiana. Click Here for Tribute or Funeral Service Video A LOVING FAMILY Dr. Pratt will be missed by his loving daughter, Cynthia Pratt Graft and her husband, Raymond of Louisville, Kentucky; his loving sons, Robert W. Pratt and his wife, Sheila of Madison, Indiana, Ralph M. Pratt, III and his wife, Jacqueline of Louisville, Kentucky; his grandchildren, Hal, Ben and Matt Graft; Erin Pratt Ray and her husband, Aaron; Haley Pratt Hilts and her husband, Brian, Ralph Pratt IV and his wife, Mary Elizabeth; Jeffrey Paul Pratt and his wife, Jennifer; Colburn Allen Pratt and his wife, Anne; his great grandchildren, Isabella Lucille Pratt, Finley Pratt, Jones Pratt, and Charles Pratt; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Martin Pratt, Sr. died December 24, 1965, his mother, Adele P. Smith Pratt, died May 15, 1988, his beloved wife of 56 years, Lucille Kosick Pratt, died December 6, 1998, and his sister, Norma Jean Pratt, died November 10, 1937. THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Funeral Mass will be conducted Saturday, April 8, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., and celebrated by Father Christopher A. Craig at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 413 East Second Street in downtown Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Brooksburg Cemetery in Brooksburg, Indiana. VISITATION Friends may call Friday from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. THE ROSARY The Rosary will be prayed on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. MILITARY HONORS Full military honors will be conducted on Saturday at the graveside by Jefferson Post 9 of the American Legion and the Fort Knox Ceremonial Unit. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to The Lucille Kosick Pratt Memorial Scholarship or the Dr. Ralph Pratt Memorial Scholarship. Cards are available at the funeral home and the church. Online condolences, www.morgan-nay.com Secure">http://www.paysimple.com/security.html">Secure Payments