Obituary of Col(R) Mike Sprague

Col(R) Mike Sprague, 84, of The Villages, passed away August 27, 2023 at The Villages Hospital after an unexpected illness. He was born in Bedford, Indiana to Irvin and Ruby Norman on February 27, 1939. Mike is survived by his wife, Brenda Sprague, two daughters, Debi Sprague and Sherri Brannon, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. 

Mike graduated from Memorial High School in St. Marys, Ohio in 1957 and was valedictorian of his class. He married his high school sweetheart, Brenda Bittigar. He attended Rose Hulman college in Terre Haute, Indiana on a full scholarship with a degree in mechanical engineering. After graduation he was employed by Dayton Power & Light in Dayton, Ohio for 1 year and then fulfilled his ROTC obligation with the ARMY with basic training at Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri. He then opted to remain in the ARMY which turned into a 27 year career with overseas assignments in England, Turkey, Panama, and Germany, including two tours in Vietnam. He completed his masters degree in geodetic science thru the military at Ohio State University and also attended the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He was also assigned to Ft. Devens, Massachusetts, Ft. Bliss, Texas, and Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. 

After military retirement, Mike became Deputy Commissioner of Public Works for the City of Wilmington, Delaware. Later he became the Director of Planning and Development for the Port of Wilmington. In 2002, Mike and Brenda fully retired and moved to The Villages, Florida, spending many years playing golf, traveling, cruising and being active members of The Optimist Club.

Funeral service will be October 16 at New Covenant Methodist at 10am, with internment at Bushnell National Cemetery at 12:30pm. In lieu of flowers the family asks that any contributions go to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 96764, Washington, DC 20090-6764.