Rest In Peace, Terry Sprague

[ryr8828]

I just got a phone call that my cousin Shara and her husband Terry Sprague got ran over on their Harley and Terry is dead.

Terry was a man of God, believed in the scriptures, and sang gospel music in his spare time. One of the nicest men anyone's ever met.

God be with and heal Shara from her injuries, and be with their children who are grown, and to the best of my knowledge haven't even been notified yet.

Terry and Shara just bought a new place and were enjoying their lives together after getting their children raised and out on their own.

[Vegas]

I'm terribly sorry to hear about that, ryr. I'll keep the family in my prayers.

[*NZ*]

My deepest condolences ryr, they say the good ones are always taken from us too soon. Please pass my love to your family and Shara and his children.

[MTVike]

So sorry for your loss.

Your cousin's husband is riding the highways of heaven right now.

[Reagan Smash]

My prayers as always Ryr

[Ryno, King of Waukesha]

My condolences to you and your whole family, Ryr.

God bless Terry.

[Jiddy78]

Damn ryr...Sorry man. How is she doing?

[BambinoBear]

Sorry for your loss.

Thoughts and prayers.

[Potomac Yank]

This is awful, my condolences to the whole family and friends.

[IBC]

Sorry to hear that Ryr. What a terrible thing to have happen. Condolences bro and my thoughts are with you and yours.

[ryr8828]

Marion man killed, wife injured in wreck

By Diane Wilkins, Marion Daily Republican, wilkins@mariondaily.com
Published: Monday, April 23, 2007 10:51 AM CDT
E-mail this story (http://www.mariondaily.com/articles/2007/04/23/breaking_news/breaking01.eml) | Print this page (http://www.mariondaily.com/articles/2007/04/23/breaking_news/breaking01.prt)

http://www.mariondaily.com/content/articles/2007/04/23/breaking_news/breaking01.jpg
HARRISBURG — A Marion man was killed and his wife seriously injured in a two vehicle accident in Harrisburg, Sunday at 2:55 p.m.

Terry Sprague, 50, Marion, was pronounced dead 3:34 p.m. Sunday at Harrisburg Medical Center as a result of the crash.

"They took him to the hospital, but they said he was dead on arrival," Saline County Coroner Randy Reed said.

The victim's wife, Shara L. Sprague, 46, Marion, was taken first to HMC, then to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Ind., with extensive injuries, according to the Illinois State Police telephone news release.

The Spragues were westbound on state Route 13 at the intersection of old Route 13 on a 2002 Harley-Davidson at 2:55 p.m. when a 1988 Chevrolet pickup driven by Jonathan P. Fitzgerald, 34, Harrisburg, pulled into their path from the intersection of old Route 13. The truck struck the right front part of the motorcycle, according to the ISP news release.

Fitzgerald faces charges of aggravated DUI, reckless homicide, possession of a controlled substance, failure to yield at an intersection and driving with expired registration. He remains held at the Saline County Detention Center awaiting a court appearance.


The crash was handled by the ISP, Harrisburg Police Department, Harrisburg Fire Department and Saline County and Miller ambulance services.

Terry was well-known in Marion because of his many activities.

He was a salesman for Marion Ford and for years had been manager of Campbell's Harley-Davidson in Marion.


He had been active in music, especially gospel music for many years. Friends remember his longtime participation in local car racing.

Terry had tried out to sing with Brian Free and Assurance. In an email Free said that he was sorry to hear about Terry.

"He was a very talented and wonderful guy," Free Said. "We will be lifting the entire family up in prayer."


"Terry was a very talented, yet humble individual," cousin Mark Fisher said. "He had a great sense of humor and you couldn't help but love him."

Shara, according to family, has two fractures of the upper leg and cuts and abrasion, but the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.



http://www.mariondaily.com/articles/2007/04/23/breaking_news/breaking01.txt

[IBC]

Marion man killed, wife injured in wreck

By Diane Wilkins, Marion Daily Republican, wilkins@mariondaily.com
Published: Monday, April 23, 2007 10:51 AM CDT
E-mail this story (http://www.mariondaily.com/articles/2007/04/23/breaking_news/breaking01.eml) | Print this page (http://www.mariondaily.com/articles/2007/04/23/breaking_news/breaking01.prt)

http://www.mariondaily.com/content/articles/2007/04/23/breaking_news/breaking01.jpg
HARRISBURG — A Marion man was killed and his wife seriously injured in a two vehicle accident in Harrisburg, Sunday at 2:55 p.m.

Terry Sprague, 50, Marion, was pronounced dead 3:34 p.m. Sunday at Harrisburg Medical Center as a result of the crash.

"They took him to the hospital, but they said he was dead on arrival," Saline County Coroner Randy Reed said.

The victim's wife, Shara L. Sprague, 46, Marion, was taken first to HMC, then to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Ind., with extensive injuries, according to the Illinois State Police telephone news release.

The Spragues were westbound on state Route 13 at the intersection of old Route 13 on a 2002 Harley-Davidson at 2:55 p.m. when a 1988 Chevrolet pickup driven by Jonathan P. Fitzgerald, 34, Harrisburg, pulled into their path from the intersection of old Route 13. The truck struck the right front part of the motorcycle, according to the ISP news release.

Fitzgerald faces charges of aggravated DUI, reckless homicide, possession of a controlled substance, failure to yield at an intersection and driving with expired registration. He remains held at the Saline County Detention Center awaiting a court appearance.


The crash was handled by the ISP, Harrisburg Police Department, Harrisburg Fire Department and Saline County and Miller ambulance services.

Terry was well-known in Marion because of his many activities.

He was a salesman for Marion Ford and for years had been manager of Campbell's Harley-Davidson in Marion.


He had been active in music, especially gospel music for many years. Friends remember his longtime participation in local car racing.

Terry had tried out to sing with Brian Free and Assurance. In an email Free said that he was sorry to hear about Terry.

"He was a very talented and wonderful guy," Free Said. "We will be lifting the entire family up in prayer."


"Terry was a very talented, yet humble individual," cousin Mark Fisher said. "He had a great sense of humor and you couldn't help but love him."

Shara, according to family, has two fractures of the upper leg and cuts and abrasion, but the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.



http://www.mariondaily.com/articles/2007/04/23/breaking_news/breaking01.txt

I am sorry Ryr. A drunk driver too. Terible shit man. Terrible. I hope he gets a special treatment in prison.

[Jiddy78]

Shara, according to family, has two fractures of the upper leg and cuts and abrasion, but the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

I'm glad to hear this.

[pnkpanther]

truly a shame

[ryr8828]

I'm not saying this just because he's passed, but Terry was one of the best men I have ever known. There's no doubt in my mind that if he had time before he died, he forgave the man who ran over him and his wife.

I knew him for over 30 years and never heard him say a bad word about anyone. He never failed to seek me out if he knew I was around and ask how I was doing, how my family was, just being around the guy made everyone feel good.

I can only hope he'll put in a good word to God for me.

[pnkpanther]

I'm not saying this just because he's passed, but Terry was one of the best men I have ever known. There's no doubt in my mind that if he had time before he died, he forgave the man who ran over him and his wife.

I knew him for over 30 years and never heard him say a bad word about anyone. He never failed to seek me out if he knew I was around and ask how I was doing, how my family was, just being around the guy made everyone feel good.

I can only hope he'll put in a good word to God for me.

too often good ones leave early.

[i_hate_righties]

I'm not saying this just because he's passed, but Terry was one of the best men I have ever known. There's no doubt in my mind that if he had time before he died, he forgave the man who ran over him and his wife.

I knew him for over 30 years and never heard him say a bad word about anyone. He never failed to seek me out if he knew I was around and ask how I was doing, how my family was, just being around the guy made everyone feel good.

I can only hope he'll put in a good word to God for me.


What a great testimony to a good man...i will keep them in my prayers!

[ryr8828]

Stage 1 of the death ceremony, visitation, is over. One hour and 20 minutes in line to get to the front. My cousin and her two children are holding up extremely well. There is great strength in God.

I think I was able to offer them some small comfort.

[ryr8828]

The funeral is over. The procession stretched from the church halfway through Marion, IL. 1,000 people signed the book.
My wife couldn't get off work until 1:30, funeral was at 2. I took her clothes to her job and we got there at 1:50. A man directed me to park in a field.

Then when we got inside another man told me there were no seats and tried to take me to another area of the church where they had the services on closed circuit. I said no thanks, we'll stand here in the door.

No mention of the evils of drink, or the dangers of motorcycles. Only forgiveness for the person in jail who hit them. The funeral procession was lead by about 50 Harleys, Harley Owners Group. Then two state police on state issue harleys followed the hearse.

A lot of the funeral music was, appropriately I thought, cd's of Terry singing songs at other people's funerals. My brother and Terry sang a lot together and one or the other always got a call for funerals of family or people we know.
This post is more for me, a record, or perhaps an outlet and I'm about to end it. I'll end it with this.

The preacher said that he'd done several funerals with Terry singing. At one of the last ones he said Terry told him "Look at all these people, this person was really loved. I'll be lucky to have 5 or 6 people show up at mine. Hopefully Shara won't have to pay people to pack me."

He knew better.