Vernal Howard Pruitt, 86, of Freetown, passed away Friday, September 23, 2022, at the Covered Bridge Health Campus in Seymour. He was born January 5, 1936, in Brown County (Van Buren Township), to Worley M. and Ivy G. Mobley Pruitt. He married Ruby R. Stater on July 7, 1967, in Ogilville, and she preceded him in death on August 19, 2016.
Vernal graduated from Freetown High School, class of 1955, and was an Army veteran, stationed in Germany during peacetime. He was a mill operator for Panasote, where he made refrigerator gaskets, and a member of the Freetown Pentecostal Church where he was recently baptized. Vernal enjoyed antiquing, garage sales and auctions. He and his late wife, Ruby, repaired and refinished furniture and quilted together. They always had big gardens and canned from them. In his spare time, his grandson kept him busy hunting, fishing and digging ginseng. He never met a stranger.
Surviving Vernal is his step-son, Kenneth (Vada Ann) Spencer, Sr.; son-in-law, Ronnie Newsome, Sr.; four grandchildren; several great grandchildren; and sister, Esther Hodge.
Preceding Vernal in death were his parents; wife; step-daughter, Debra Newsome; granddaughter, Dawn Michelle; and siblings, Betty Lou Pruitt and Eva Brand.
Visitation for Vernal will be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., at the Winklepleck & Brock Funeral Home in Brownstown. The funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in Christianburg Cemetery, Brown County. Full military rites will be conducted by VFW Post 1925, American Legion Post 89, Disabled Veterans 47, Korean & Vietnam Veterans, all of Seymour, Indiana.
All services have been entrusted to the caring staff of Winklepleck & Brock Funeral Home, Brownstown, Indiana.
