Richard Loyl Sprague, 92

Funeral services for Richard Loyl Sprague, 92, of Geneseo, Iowa, were held July 29, 2019, at First United Methodist Church of Geneseo. Mr.Sprague died peacefully on July 25.

He was born Aug. 17, 1926, in Dewey, Oklahoma, the son of Ernest and Vinnie Brown Sprague. He served in the Navy aboard the USS Indianapolis during World War II. On Oct. 26, 1946, he married Margaret “Margie” Mary Mahoney. Together they had five children.

Mr. Sprague founded a contracting business, building homes and apartments all over the Quad Cities area of Iowa and Illinois. He was a skilled carpenter, plasterer and wood- worker. He and Mrs. Sprague were also talented, self-taught watercolor and sketch artists. Mr. Sprague loved fishing, hunting and gardening; he became an excellent cook, often making more than needed to share with others.

He loved people and fellowship. His faith and steadfast belief in God were the cornerstone of his life. During his life he served as a song leader, choir member, preacher, camp counselor and Sunday school teacher.

He was full of amazing stories from his life and had a propensity for storytelling. He spent his last few years shar- ing the fascinating circumstances that landed him aboard the USS Indianapolis, and he was humbled to take an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., where he and other soldiers were commended for their service.

When his wife, Margie, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, he cared for her in their home until she was moved to a memory care facility, where he visited regularly, bringing her flowers and singing to her.

He is survived by his wife, Margie; their children, Richard “Mike” Sprague and wife Donna, Linda Flatt and husband Steve, Tim Sprague and wife Rhonda, former edi- tor of the Ozark County Times, of Zanoni, Brad Sprague and wife Crystal; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Noni Sprague Palmer.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Wes David Sprague; and siblings T.C., E.J., Wesley and Doyle Sprague. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Geneseo. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, directors.

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