Melvin "Mel" Kenneth Sprague

Melvin Kenneth Sprague, age 86, of Eldorado went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 10, 2021.

Mel was born on October 31, 1934, at home in Berlin, WI, son of Kenneth and Evelyn (Randel) Sprague. He grew up in Oshkosh and at a very young age he would often ride his bike from Oshkosh to Wautoma with his fishing pole and be gone for days at a time and his poor mother wouldn’t know where he was. He loved the outdoors and being in God’s creation. Mel enjoyed feeding and watching the birds and even hand feed his tame chipmunks. He met the love of his life, Mary Hoch of Rosendale and was married on June 9, 1956, at the Church of the Nazarene. They had one daughter Deb and adopted daughter Leesa. He worked many years in construction with Byco Inc. of Mayville. He was blessed to have the best work partner he could have asked for in Mark “Shorty” Narrance of Byron. He liked going on walks and kept active, walking 3 miles a day, up until he became ill. Mel was famous for his big bear hugs that will be missed by many. He loved people and was quick to pray for anyone if they had a need. Mel loved his church family at Crossroads Fellowship in Waupun and he always looked forward to his special lunch days he had with Pastor Jeff Casper.  He was a regular at Faro’s Restaurant, where he ate lunch nearly every day. Mel and his daughter Deb were deer hunting buddies and he looked forward to that every year. He also enjoyed going turkey hunting with his pal, John. He had many friends from all over. Mel and his wife enjoyed many years of going to Maui for vacation and trips to Door County. In later years their daughter Deb and son-in-law, Mike joined them on those trips to Maui. Mel shared nearly 57 years of marriage with Mary, until her passing on February 26, 2013, she was dearly missed and now their together again.

Mel is survived by his daughter Deb (Mike) Schmalzer of Rosendale; a very special granddaughter Bambi Godkin of Roanoke, VA; adopted daughter, Leesa and her son Michael; sister, Joanne Klein of Fond du Lac; a very special brother-in-law, Marty Strook of Ladoga, who he loved like a brother; special nephew, Josh (Anna) Sprague; and their children, Sawyer and Finn; further survived by nieces and nephews, Kelly Strook, Wendy Strook, Doug Strook, Tami Hoch, Tom Hoch, Chris Marquart and many great and great-great nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary; parents; brother, Richard Sprague; sister-in-law, Doris Strook; brother-in-law, Jack Hoch; nephew, Tim Hoch; in-laws, Sylvester and Dorothy Hoch.

A special thank you to all the dedicated nurses of 4 South, at St. Agnes in Fond du Lac, that have such a difficult job and so much to deal with. Thank you for taking care of my dad, Mel Sprague.

Private Service will be held.