Bill Text: IL SR1675 | 2013-2014 | 98th General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Mourns the death of Merritt W. Sprague of Hull.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-12-04 - Resolution Adopted [SR1675 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2013-SR1675-Introduced.html

---

SR1675 LRB098 23364 MST 62488 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Merritt William Sprague of Hull, who
passed away on October 4, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Merritt Sprague was born in Quincy on December 20,
1933 to John W. and Ella L. (nee Long) Sprague; he graduated
from Hannibal High School in Hannibal, Missouri, and he earned
a degree in agriculture science from the University of
Illinois, where he was a member of the FarmHouse International
Fraternity; after college, he served in the United States Army,
achieving the rank of captain; he married Patricia Ann Paxton
on July 3, 1955 in Pittsfield; upon his return to the family
farm in 1956, he served as company commander of the Quincy Army
Reserve Unit; and
WHEREAS, Merritt Sprague had a passion for promoting
agriculture within his community; he served as a 4-H leader for
many years and served as a member of the Pike County Farm
Service Board; he was Vice-Chairman of the Illinois Farm Bureau
Young Farmers Committee and was also Vice-Chairman of the
American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee; in
1969, he was appointed to the chairmanship of the Illinois
State Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service
Committee; and

SR1675 - 2 - LRB098 23364 MST 62488 r
WHEREAS, After 25 years of active farming, Merritt Sprague
was called upon to serve as Deputy Administrator for Commodity
Operations in the Reagan Administration; he was then called
upon to become the manager of the Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation; he testified in front of the United States
Congress routinely during his tenure in Washington, where he
was an advocate for American agriculture; during President
George H. W. Bush's administration, he served as the Deputy
Director of the Office of Program Analysis for the U.S.
Department of the Interior; and
WHEREAS, Merritt Sprague returned home to resume
management of the family farm; during this time, he served as
chairman of the Mid-America Intermodal Authority Port, where he
worked tirelessly to promote the development of an intermodal
port terminal in the Quincy area, which is ongoing today; and
WHEREAS, Merritt Sprague served on the Pike County Mental
Health Board; he was an active member of the Hull Lions Club
and was a lifelong member of the United Baptist Church of Hull
and Kinderhook, where he not only taught many Sunday school
classes but also served as deacon; and
WHEREAS, Merritt Sprague was preceded in death by his
parents and his son, Philip Randall "Randy" Sprague; and

SR1675 - 3 - LRB098 23364 MST 62488 r
WHEREAS, Merritt Sprague is survived by his wife, Patricia;
his 2 sons, Marvin Kent "Mark" (Lisa) Sprague and Merritt
Andrew Sprague; his 2 granddaughters, AnnaMarie (Jason) Hanes
and Dr. Mallory (Adam) Perrine; his grandson, Marine Lt.
Jeffrey (Kelsi) Neese; his great-grandson, Paxton Kent Hanes;
his brother, John Kent (Margaret) Sprague; his 2 nephews, James
and Paul Sprague; and his niece, Cynthia Dreier; therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Merritt William Sprague, and extend our sincere condolences to
his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Merritt Sprague as an expression of
our deepest sympathy.