PRESQUE ISLE – Merle R. Sprague, 94, died Jan. 22, 2004, at a Presque Isle hospital. He was born Nov. 18, 1909, in Easton, the son of Harold and Blanche (Randall) Sprague. He was a member of the Grant Memorial United Methodist Church. Merle served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II, returning home to operate his farm for many years after. He had also been employed at the Presque Isle Air Force Base for several years. He was a past master of Aroostook Union Grange, had been the superintendent of the Agriculture Exhibits at the Northern Maine Fair for many years and was a member of Hayward Frazier Post No. 2599 VFW. Surviving him is his wife of almost 58 years, Alice (Benson) Sprague of Presque Isle; a foster son and his wife, Jesse and Noni Cote of Brewer; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; nieces, Marilyn Wheeler of Presque Isle, and Nancy Gettig of Reidfield; a cousin, Marjorie Leach of Presque Isle; and a special friend, Zeke Weider of Presque Isle. He was predeceased by two sisters, Dorothy Stonehouse and Muriel Chase; and two brothers, Clayton and Kenneth Sprague. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday at the Grant Memorial United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Thomas Blackstone officiating. Relatives and friends may call at the church from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service. A spring interment will be in the Fairmount Cemetery in Presque Isle. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to Grant Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 992, Presque Isle, ME 04769.
MERLE R. SPRAGUE
