Russell F. Sprague

Russell F. Sprague, age 92 of Bay Port, passed away Friday evening, July 10, 2015 at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe after a long illness.
Born in Bay Port on March 5, 1923, he was the son of Nijay and Ethel (Lintner) Sprague. On June 6, 1941 he and Helen Louise Pallas were united in marriage in Bad Axe. She preceded him in death on October 4, 1991.
Russell was a World War II Army Veteran, having served in the Central Pacific, Okinawa and Ryukyus. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his service.
He began his commercial fishing career as a young man working on the Bay Port Fish Docks. Russ bought his first commercial fishing boat named 'Northstar' and later he and his son Robert purchased the boat 'Sea Captain.' He also worked at Pigeon Manufacturing.
His survivors include two sons and a daughter, Robert (Sara) Sprague, Gary Sprague, and Charlene (Greg) Alexander, all of Bay Port; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and eight great great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary (Cliff) Turmell and Delores Mitchell; brother, Robert (Shirley) Sprague; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandchildren, Chris Sprague, Mark Chandler, Keri Sanchez and Kimberly Sprague; an infant sister Mary; and brothers Ed, Gib and Harold.
The funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at the Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home, Pigeon, with Pastor Brian Johnson of Bay Port United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in New Bay Port Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Bay Port United Methodist Church or the Bay Port Historical Society.

Visitation: Wednesday 2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. until the service at 10 a.m.