Armelda Prast

Armelda Harris Prast, 94, of Danville, formerly of Columbia, MO, died on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at Hawthorne Inn in Danville. Armelda was born November 12, 1912 north of Huntsville, Randolph County, MO. She was the daughter of Robert D. and Minnie M. (Rais) Harris. She married Earnest Swearingen, of Moberly, MO, on October 1, 1949 and he died on March 13, 1954. Armelda then married Donald C. Prast, of Danville, on May 1, 1966 and he died on September 21, 1982. Armelda is survived by two stepdaughters, Mrs. Phyllis (Keith) Lape of Mt. Vernon, IL and Mrs. Sharon (Robert) Fretty of Danville; four step-granddaughters, Kristine Lape Martin of Carrollton, TX, Kathryn Lape Young of Lockport, IL and Karin and Debra Fretty both of Danville; one step-grandson, Kevin Fretty of Aurora, CO; one niece, Susan Page Varaiya of Cupertino, CA; six nephews, Jerry Harris of Burnsville, NC, John Harris of Manteo, NC, Dan Gutekunst of Yukon, OK, Thomas Gillis of Lancaster, CA, Jim Harris and Robert Harris both of Colorado, several great-nieces and nephews and many friends. Her parents, two sisters, two brothers, two sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law preceded her in death. Armelda was a 1929 graduate of Moberly High School. She received a bachelor of arts in 1959, a master of arts degree in 1961 and a doctor of philosophy degree in 1963, with a major in counseling psychology, from Ohio State University. She was employed at the former Woodland Hospital and Clinic in Moberly, MO, for twenty-five years, where she was administrator during the last fourteen years. She resigned from that position in 1956 to enter Ohio State University as a freshman. Upon her graduation in 1963, she joined the psychology staff of the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Danville, where she was a supervisory psychologist for eight years and assistant chief of Psychology Service for five years, retiring in 1977. During Armeldas first career, she was an active member of Northeast Missouri Hospital Council, the Northeast Missouri Blue Cross Organization, the Missouri Hospital Association and a member of the American Hospital Association. During her second career, she was a member of the Illinois Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association and was a registered psychologist in the State of Illinois. Armelda was a former active member of the Business and Professional Womens Club and a charter member of the Altrusa Club, both of Moberly, MO. She was a former active member of the Vermilion County Mental Health Center Board, the Altrusa Club, the American Association of University Women and a former honorary member of the Executive Club, all of Danville. Armelda was a member of St. James United Methodist Church. A celebration of Armeldas life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 30, 2006 at Sunsets Community and Life Tribute Center (formerly Lakeside-Barrick Funeral Chapel) with Pastor Harvey Collett officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2006 at the Tribute Center. Burial will be at Spring Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Armeldas name to the VA Illiana Healthcare System-Voluntary Services. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.