Obituaries

June 5, 1954 to April 22, 2019

HAMLET - Leroy “Big Mac” Rater, 64, Medaryville, passed away Monday, April 22, at his home.

He was born June 5, 1954 in Winamac, to Leroy “Roy” and Virginia (Schultz) Rater and lived in the area all of his life. On May 28, 1983 in Medaryville, he married Susie Shepperd. She survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Tina Cantu of Iowa, Carrie Oliver and Jenny Rater, both of Rensselaer; three sons, Philip Rater of Medaryville, Leroy “Little Mac” Rater of Michigan City and Kanyon Whitrock of Medaryville; 22 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Jeannie Nelson of Logansport, Gerri Rater of Winamac, Linda Kucera of Bourbon and Peggy Riddle of Akron.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert.

Mr. Rater was a member of Souls Harbor Church of North Judson. He owned and operated Leroy’s Tree Service. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and basketball fan. He was a true man of God who would drop everything to help anyone, including being a missionary for inmates at the county jails and feeding the homeless across the U.S.

Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m., Friday, at Souls Harbor Church, North Judson; and Saturday one hour prior to the service. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. (ET), Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the church. Burial will follow at White Post Cemetery, Medaryville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Souls Harbor Church.

Rannells Funeral Home, Hamlet Chapel, is handling arrangements.