Richard Sprague, age 82, of Marion, IL passed away at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, January 3, 2010 at his home.
He was born August 8, 1927, in rural Marion, IL in Williamson County, the son of Floyd A. and Beatrice (Hester) Sprague.
Richard was united in marriage to Juanita Maxine Thweatt on November 21, 1952 in Marion, IL and together they have shared over fifty-seven years of marriage.
Early in his working career he was a heavy equipment operator for Peabody Coal Company for several years and later began working as a over the road truck driver for Marion Metal and Roofing Company. He last worked for Freeman United Coal Company at their Orient No. 4 Mine and retired in 1989.
He is a member of Second Baptist Church of Marion and a member of the United Mine Workers of America Local Union No. 9878 of West Frankfort, IL, the Teamsters Local Union and the National Rifle Association.
Richard loved being in the outdoors and in the past years he loved to fish and hunt.
He is survived by his wife, Juanita Maxine Sprague of Marion, IL; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Bob James of Lewisburg, TN and Karen and Jim Whitt of Marion, IL; two sons, Richard L. “Rick” Sprague and Scott Sprague and his wife, Kara all of Marion, IL; six grandchildren, Samantha Kuehn and her husband, Eric, Sam Hogue and his wife, Cian, Jake Whitt and his wife, Jennifer, Josh Whitt and his wife, Amanda, Erick Sprague and his wife, Jennifer and Kristie Webb and husband, Jason; three step-grandchildren, Rob James and his wife, Ann, Melissa Leisse and her husband, Mark and Bryan James and his wife, Nikki; fourteen great grandchildren, ; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Carol Sprague of Marion; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Hazel Faught of Owensboro, KY, Joanne and Bill Olsen of Marion and Jeanetta and Paul Sexton of Baldwin Park, CA, four sisters-in-law, Peggy (Sprague) Robinson and her husband, Paul, Lucy Sprague and Effie Jean Barwick all of Marion and Clorice Kent of Cherokee Village, AR; brother-in-law, Rex Lantrip of Orland Park, IL, several nieces and nephews, other extended family members and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Helen West and Betty Lantrip and three brothers, John David “J. D.” Sprague, Don Sprague and Tommy E. Sprague.
Arrangements for Richard Sprague were entrusted to the Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court Street, of Marion, IL.
A time of visitation for family and friends was from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00p.m. on Wednesday, January 6th, at the funeral home.
The funeral service was at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 7, 2010, at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home with Dr. Bob Wagner presiding.
The prelude and postlude musical selections were presented by pianist, Shirley Lantrip.
Special vocal musical selections presented were “The Old Rugged Cross” and “How Great Thou Art” both by Danny Ward with pianist Shirley Lantrip accompanying.
Interment followed in Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion, IL.
Pallbearers were Jake Whitt, Sam Hogue, Jason Webb, Ed Barwick, Jason Barwick and Jim Whitt.
Following the committal service at the cemetery the family and friends gathered at Second Baptist Church for a meal and continued time of fellowship and support.
For those who preferred memorial contributions were made to “St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital”. Memorial contribution envelopes were available at the funeral home or were mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959.
For additional information please contact the funeral home by calling 618-993-2131.
