Cecil Pruiett

Cecil Pruiett, 73, of Oskaloosa, passed away on April 2, 2024, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House. Cecil LeRoy Pruiett, son of Cecil and Mabel (Mason) Pruiett, was born May 21, 1950, in Carrollton, Illinois. Throughout his youth, the family lived in Walkersville, Hillview, and Whitehall, all communities in Greene County, Illinois. He served two tours in Vietnam. He served as a Point man with the 1st Air Calvary. On a New Year’s Day patrol in 1970, he was injured by shrapnel in his legs, arms, and back. He spent six months in the hospital recovering from his wounds. After his discharge on March 1, 1972, he enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard and served ten more years. Cecil received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star with V Device, a recognition of Valor, and the Air Medal for 25 or more combat assaults in a helicopter. After his discharge, Cecil and his family moved to Chariton, Iowa, and began working as a paint crew foreman for Johnson Machine Works. After 12 years with Johnson’s, Cecil took a position in housekeeping at the VA Hospital in Knoxville. He worked at the VA for 23 years, retiring in 2005. Cecil eventually moved to Knoxville, and after his retirement, he moved to Oskaloosa. After his move, he met the love of his life, Mary (Van Steenis) Mateer, and they were united in marriage on May 21, 2006. Since moving to Oskaloosa, Cecil has been a member of Central Church and a Lifetime member of the VFW. In his spare time, he enjoyed building with steel and wood, welding, painting, and working on cars. He also volunteered at Oskaloosa Care Nursing Center for ten years. Cecil was also known for maintaining a meticulously beautiful yard. His family includes his wife, Mary of Oskaloosa; his children: Cecil LeRoy Jr. (Tisha) Pruiett of Corydon, Iowa, Dean Owen (Karie) Pruiett of Gulfport, Mississippi, and Jennifer (Jason) Selby; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; step-children: Kenny (Penny) Linville, and Jeffery Linville, both of Oskaloosa; and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by eight siblings: Wayne (Angela) Pruiett of Missouri, George (Martha) Pruiett of Illinois, Sheila (Vern) Hall of Michigan, Mabel Coulson of Missouri, Ava (Danny) Davidson of Illinois, Stacey (Tim) Kunkel of New Jersey, Olieta (Darrel) Davidson of Illinois, and Annette (Dan) McFarlane of Illinois. In addition to his parents, Cecil was preceded in death by a brother, Ron, and 11 half-brothers and half-sisters. Services for Cecil will be held Friday, April 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Central Church in Oskaloosa, with Reverend Jon Nelson officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, beginning at 10:00 a.m., with the family present to greet friends from 4-6 p.m. Interment will take place at Forest Cemetery with Military Honors presented by the Oskaloosa Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors or Central Church.

Cecil Pruiett

May 21, 1950 - April 2, 2024