Ila Prafka Mathis Catanach, 85, passed away in the morning hours of February 26, 2025, at her home at Country Place Memory Care in Jacksonville. Ila was born on March 3, 1939, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Earl Prafka and Annie Laura Johnson Prafka. She attended Thomas Jefferson High School and went on to Lamar College to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music. In 1960, she married Charles Mathis, also of Port Arthur, and in the first ten years of their marriage, they lived in four different states. In 1970, they returned to Jacksonville with their 6-year-old daughter, Melina. They first attended the First Christian Church in Jacksonville and then the Evangelical Methodist Church (which later became Evangelical Community Church). She enjoyed camping, motorcycles, and horses with her family. In 1973, Ila opened the first bible bookstore in Jacksonville, The Book Shelf, on South Jackson Street. College students from both colleges and the seminary could frequently be found at the store and Ila befriended many of them, most notably Dianna Smith of Mt. Selman, who remained her faithful friend until this day. After selling the bookstore, Ila taught first grade at the Christian Day School for several years. Later, Charlie and she opened 4 Seasons Garden Center and Landscaping, which they operated until his death in 1987. Following Charlie's death, Ila worked for Beall's Department Store and for the Texas Forestry Service until she married again. In 1992, she married Arthur Catanach and joined him in retirement in Groves, Texas, where they lived for several years before they moved away. In Nacogdoches, they each volunteered for Memorial Hospital, were involved in their church, Oak Grove Baptist Church, and were active in their homeowners' association, Aggie groups, and in several game groups, meeting dear friends, Robert and Rebecca Dillon, who helped Ila tremendously in her last years at home. During their 27-year marriage, Arthur and Ila traveled extensively and enjoyed sporting events and the theatre. Ila is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Annie Laura Prafka, her sister Nancy Jane Prafka Ross, and husbands, Charles Mathis and Arthur Catanach. She is survived by her daughter, Melina Mathis Baker (Antony), son Jimmy Catanach (Janet), and daughter Judy Catanach Hansmeier (Randy). She has six grandchildren, Anastasia Wilford (John), Alexander Baker, Holly Catanach, Catherine Catanach, Kyle Hansmeier (Grace), and Rachel Hansmeier and three great-grandchildren, Jonah Pierce, Robert Hansmeier, and Emory Hansmeier. Finally, she leaves behind two nephews, Brant Woodall and Greg Woodall, and her favorite cousin, George Prafka. The family wishes to thank the wonderful nurses and aides at Angel Hands Hospice and the caring staff at Country Place Memory Care and Meadowlake Memory Care, all who made her final time more peaceful and comfortable. If friends and family wish to honor her memory, the family suggests making donations to their own churches. Arrangements by Autry Funeral Home.