Birth date: Feb 11, 1927 Death date: Dec 23, 2019
Ben C. Sprague age 92 of Strongsville OH passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2019. Beloved husband of 70 years to the late Jean M. Sprague. Cherished father of Lorrie, Larry, Lynne Herald (John), and Lonna Sprague-Hunt. Loving gra Read Obituary
My Uncle Ben was a man of superlatives. He believed in doing what was right, said what he thought, and helped others when they needed it most. Uncle Ben made people feel welcome, loved and safe. He made life an adventure, and it was always a joy to be in his presence.
When my kids were small, he drove the car off of the driveway at Albion Road and all over the yard at dusk in search of deer (despite the protests of Aunt Jean!), and we ended up seeing 10 does and a beautiful buck at close range. None of us will ever forget that experience.
Uncle Ben also taught my kids to fish. They distinctly remember going to buy “the best” worms, sloppily baiting the hooks for the first time and standing where the sun won’t catch a shadow (and they each caught a fish!).
A more recent memory was when Uncle Ben and I went to a diner in Strongsville for breakfast. Although he was 92, several people recognized him and came up to chat. One thanked him for the wonderful memories of Christmas trees as a child, another expressed thanks for a building project, and the owner said it was nice to see him again after such a long time. It was touching that people still remembered Uncle Ben and Aunt Jean.
The most impressive memory of all is the way Uncle Ben loved his family. Despite Aunt Jean’s illness during her last years, Uncle Ben faithfully spent every afternoon at her side until she died. He also loved Lorrie, Larry, Lynne and Lonna (and their families) equally and in the same way. His memory and example live on in them and in those of us he touched. We will miss him tremendously.
Sending you all hugs from Switzerland,
Karen, Vasek, Pavel and Christopher
So many memories of Ben and Jean..Middle Bass and the Spruce farm where our children cut their first Christmas trees. Love and condolences to your family♥️
Kerm and Lynne (Morton) Gill
I first met Ben on Labor Day 1965. I was building my home on Albion when Ben unexpectedly dropped in ! After he recuperated, Ben did some grading and trenching for me. As a young "city kid" Ben took me under his arm and took us to church on sundays. When i needed something, Ben would tell me where to buy it or to get it done. Ben took me to Center Jr. High to play basketball where I met his friends, Tom Vining, Wally Ehrnfeldt, George Strempole, Paul Schmeil, and others who became my friends. One winter Ben let me manure his stables to put in my garden. The next year I had the best crop of weeds ever.
After basketball, the guys would go to the Strongsville Cafe for cold refreshments. Except Ben. Ben would not go into a bar. "There is nothing in there that I want " he"d say.
Thru the years the Sprague's have been role models for us Jean, Larry, Lori, and Lanna. We have always been proud to call the Sprague"s our friends..
With deep regrets,
Bill and Marilyn Wittenmyer and family
So sorry to hear of Bens passing. We know he was loved by all who knew him.
Condolences to all the family.
