Obituary for Matthew Prather

Matthew Daren Prather, age 18, of Mahomet, Illinois peacefully passed away from natural causes related to a cardiac episode at his home on March 24, 2016.  He was born on November 30, 1997 in Champaign, Illinois.  He was a senior at Mahomet-Seymour High School, where he was a member of the soccer team, football team, and FFA.

Matthew was a funny, smart, outgoing, and yes… strong willed, young man.  His infectious dimpled-smile and great laugh were contagious to everyone fortunate enough to know him.  Matthew loved embracing new opportunities, through which he formed many great friendships locally and across the country.

Sports were always at the forefront of Matthew’s life.  As soon as he could walk, Matthew was off and running – never without a ball in his tiny, little hands.  At 18 months, Matthew could drop kick those balls halfway across the backyard.  It was safe to say soccer and kicking were definitely in his future.  Matthew was always active – he started playing basketball in 1st grade.  His speed and intensity were always fun to watch.  At age 9, Matthew started playing soccer where he put his kicking and footwork to use.  His first coaches, Coach McHale, Coach Metzger, Coach Penick, and Coach Burgess helped Matthew grow while fostering his love of sports.

Matthew was blessed to have amazing men mentor him on an off the field.  Throughout it all, his favorite coach, mentor, and source of advice was his dad, Daren.  Together, they talked, strategized, relived…and relived… and relived basketball games, soccer games, kickoffs, and field goals.

While he was best known for his outgoing personality, Matthew was surprisingly a homebody.  His nightly “I’m home – night mommy, night dada, I love you” greeting often turned into a 30 minute recap of the night’s events or everyday “stuff”.  After all, this boy was a talker.  Mom’s lack of sleep and dark eye circles were always worth it – Matthew shared, cared, and lived big!

Matthew embraced social media to communicate, love, and laugh with friends and family.   Late night texting and Facetiming shortened the distance to his brother Jacob, who works in North Dakota and brother Lucas, a student at Murray State University in Kentucky.  Through these channels, the boys talked about everyday life, strategized about the future, and looked forward to each opportunity they had to be together – of course, never without teasing one another relentlessly.  Even Matthew’s grandparents turned to social media to keep up with his adventure-filled lifestyle.   Overage charges and ever-increasing data plans were always justified, as a short text from Matthew frequently contained as much love and orneriness as any face-to-face conversation.

Matthew’s family extends beyond a family tree.  The men and women of the Mahomet Yacht Club (MYC) loved Matthew and offered advice as if he was their own – and boy did that personality need them!  He loved filling his weekends with MYC get-togethers, frequently held on Clinton Lake.  Matthew always looked forward to summer vacations spent on Lake Cumberland.

Bound for Southern Illinois University in the spring, Matthew had big plans for the future.  While he wanted to follow in Lucas’s footsteps as a college athlete, Matthew was most interested in going to a university with an excellent agriculture program and one that fit his view of an ideal college experience.  Following after his oldest brother, Jacob, and career mentors, Mike Hellmer and Lee DeSmith, Matthew planned to major in Crop Soil and Environmental Management with an emphasis on crops and a minor in Agribusiness.  He was beyond excited about his future in agriculture, as it would keep him outside and out of an office all day.

Matthew was active in his youth group, Oasis, at First Christian Church where he could be found on Sunday nights with some of his closest friends.  He loved reflecting on the 2015 CIY Move conference in Panama City Beach, FL and sharing what he learned.

Matthew is survived by his parents Daren and Sandy of Mahomet, Illinois; and his brothers, Jacob (25) of Jamestown, North Dakota, and Lucas (22) of Mahomet, Illinois.  He leaves behind his paternal grandmother, Ann Prather of Mahomet; and his maternal grandparents, Robert and Norma Hible of Mahomet; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Matthew also leaves behind many close friends and his girlfriend, Natasha Frank of Champaign.  He is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Robert Prather.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Sunset Funeral Home in Champaign, IL.  The visitation will be held at First Christian Church (3601 S Staley Rd. Champaign, IL) on Monday from 3-8pm.  Please dress casually for the visitation, as you would for a sporting event.  The funeral will be held on Tuesday at 10am at First Christian Church, followed by graveside burial at Riverside Cemetery in Mahomet.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to Christ in Youth – MOVE: 3601 S Staley Rd, Champaign, IL Attn: Matt Clark, Champaign County Farm Bureau Foundation: 801 N Country Fair Dr, Champaign, IL 61821, or MSHS Athletic Boosters: 302 W State St, Mahomet, IL 61853 Attn: Athletic Boosters.