Wayne Edward Pruitt

Wayne Edward Pruitt, 79, of Eldon, Mo., passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at SSM St. Mary's Health Center in Jefferson City, Mo. Wayne was born on the family farm in his grandparent's log cabin in Miller County on December 23, 1938, the son of Lloyd Pruitt and Jessie (Sandfort) Pruitt, both of whom preceded him in death. Wayne was a 1956 graduate of School of the Osage and was a standout basketball player for Coach Henderson on the State Championship teams. He was married on June 13, 1970, in Lone Jack, Mo. at the Lone Jack Baptist Church to Nancy (Hengstenberg) Pruitt who survives of the home. He was baptized in the Blue Springs Creek in Miller County and was a member of the First Christian Church of Eldon. As a young man he was awarded Herdsman of the year. Wayne was owner of Pruitt's Cattle Service, Pruitt's Dairy Farm, he was a ranch Manager or owner for numerous registered cattle operations across the Midwest for over 50 years. He thoroughly enjoyed going to the Olean Livestock Barn and any kind of auction. He was on the Miller Co. Extension board for six years, Miller Co. Ambulance board for eight years. Wayne was the instructor for Graham School for Cattleman in Garnett, Kan. for many years. He is survived by one daughter, Sherry Elliott and husband Mark Sr. of Eldon, Mo.; two sons, Randy Pruitt and wife Regina of California, Mo.; Rusty Pruitt and wife Lois of Eldon, Mo.; three stepsons, David Stark and wife Rhonda of Eldon, Mo.; Michael Stark of Emporia, Kan.; Jeff Stark and wife Denise of New Castle, Okla.; one stepdaughter, Sharolyn Bornholdt and husband Thomas of Olathe, Kan.; two brothers, Alan Pruitt and wife Nellie, David Pruitt and wife Sarafina both of Eldon, Mo.; one sister-in-law, Kathy Pruitt of Manhattan, Kan.; 21 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by one infant son, Edward Wayne Pruitt; one grandson, Jeremiah Stark and a brother, Kenny Pruitt. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at the First Christian Church in Eldon, Mo. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2018, also at the First Christian Church in Eldon. Officiating will be the Dr. Bill Foglesburg. Burial will be at the Greenmore Memorial Gardens near Barnett, Mo. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church Music Dept. c/o the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, MO, Owner-Markus Elliott.