Clinton Sprague

Age 94, passed away on Friday, June 27, 2003.  He was born on May 9, 1909 in Berlin Twp., the son of Glenn and Lillian (Townsend) Sprague.  Mr. Sprague attended the Ionia Area Schools, including Loomis School.  Clinton worked for 35 years for the State of Michigan Liquor Control as a field auditor, retiring in 1971.  He was baptized at, and a member of, the First Christian Church in Ionia since 1934 (life member since 1954).  Clinton also was a member of the Ionia Elks, Ionia Moose, and the Ionia Fishing and Hunting Club (past president), past councilman for the 2nd ward, and chief security officer for the Ionia Free Fair for 44 years.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Julia on February 7, 2001; 2 grandsons, Steven and Tim Sprague; 5 brothers, Howard, Russell, Ivan, Glenn, and Francis Sprague; 1 daughter-in-law, Jean Sprague; Surviving are 3 sons, Robert (friend, Sonja Reed) of Saranac, MI, Clinton Jr. "Bud" (Lois) Sprague of Bitely, MI, and Edwin (Karen) Sprague of Ionia, MI; 1 daughter, Carol (Robert) Hook of Cedar Springs, MI; 10 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; 1 brother, Ford Wayne (Alma) Sprague of Ionia, MI.  The Funeral Service will be conducted by the Rev. Carol Meeder, Pastor at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 30, 2003 at the First Christian Church of Ionia with interment following at Balcom Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Cook Chapel, 220 Rich Street, Ionia from 4-7 p.m. Sunday.  For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church in memory of Clinton E. Sprague.