Richard Charles Sprague, 87, of Shelbyville, died Tuesday, March 3.
He was a proud citizen of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians. Having served on the Tribal Council and as a member of Ogitch-E-Daa, Dick was a proven leader and was integral to the early formation of the Tribe’s modern history. He played an instrumental part in laying the groundwork for the Tribe’s casino endeavor.
In 1960, Dick was honorably discharged from the United States Army and then worked at and retired from Simpson Paper and Eaton Corp. He also served as pastor at Athens Indian Church for almost 10 years. Richard was a strong believer in his Savior, Jesus Christ, and was a faithful attendee and member of the Bradley Indian Mission.
Richard was born on Sep.2, 1932, to Adam and Elizabeth Sprague. He was raised in the Bradley community and in 1995 returned to his ancestral home to enjoy his retirement.
Dick was one of 11 children and is survived by his sister, Frances Montour, and by his children Leah (Curt) Wiser, Albert Sprague, Scott (Mary) Sprague, Marilyn (Larry) Schmidt, Marion Williams, and Alice Jo (Kevin) Ricketts; grandchildren Eric Sprague, Amanda Sprague Mansfield, Taylor Schmidt-Taylor, Cynthia Phifer, and Daniel Johnstone; great-grandchildren Sydney Sprague, Jayla Johnstone, Jayden Meighen, Willow Taylor, and Cole Taylor; and many extended family and friends
He was preceded in death by his spouses Janet Noonan and Marylin Williams.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 6, at the Luella Collins Community Center, 419 – 126th Ave., Wayland. The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, 4330 – 18th St., Dorr, and Friday one hour prior to services at the Luella Collins Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bradley Indian Mission Church or the American Cancer Society.
