SPROUSE, Teddy R. 1927 - 2012
SPROUSE, ROBINSON, ANDERSON, BRUNK, SANER, PALM, GLOSSER, PARRISH, MAIZE, MCDONALD, LAMASTERS, HOWELL, ZAERR
Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 1/20/2012 at 19:52:10
"The Fairfield Ledger"
Friday, January 13, 2012
Page 6Teddy R. SPROUSE
Teddy R. SPROUSE, 84, of Ottumwa, died today, Jan. 13, 2012.
Arrangements are pending at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield.
~~~~
"The Fairfield Ledger"
Monday, January 16, 2012
Page 6Teddy R. SPROUSE
Teddy R. SPROUSE age 84, of Ottumwa, IA passed away on January 13, 2012 at Ridgewood Care Center in Ottumwa.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA, with Pastor Gary Axtell officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield.
A celebration of life reception will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Best Western Fairfield.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at Behner Funeral Home.
Ted was born on September 24, 1927 to Charlie and Ida Mae ROBINSON SPROUSE. He married Joanne ANDERSON in October of 1949 and they later divorced. Ted later married Eloise BRUNK on December 11, 1954. She died on April 13, 1998. Later in life, Ted married his high school friend, Colleen SANER.
Ted grew up in Drakesville, IA and was one of ten children. In his early years, he spent considerable time with his father and older brother shearing sheep. Ted traveled much of the Midwest shearing sheep to help support his family. He became very skilled at this, even taking second place at the Iowa State Fair sheep shearing contest in 1946 and winning the same competition in 1956.
In 1948, Ted enlisted in the United States Army -- just as his brothers had done before him. He ultimately advanced to Staff Sergeant in the 38th Field Artillery Battalion. His unit was deployed to South Korea in August of 1950. He was taken prisoner of war that same year and would remain imprisoned for nearly three years until his release in September of 1953. Don Cloud was a fellow soldier with Ted and also one of Ted's dearest friends. The two of them depended heavily on one another to survive that difficult time.
In the late 1990's (sic) Robert J. Berens authored a book about Ted's life and experiences as a prisoner of war. The book is titled "Limbo on the Yalu ... and beyond!". Ted was very proud of this book and of his life as well. He volunteered much of his time to speaking to various groups about his experiences and the challenges he faced and was able to overcome in his life. In June of 2011, Ted was awarded the Governor's Volunteer Award for his efforts.
Ted was an avid sports fan, but his real passion was for baseball. When he wasn't helping support his family as a young man, he loved to play baseball. Later, he would play as a catcher on the Army's Division Artillery Team prior to his deployment to South Korea. He was visited by a scout for the New York Giants and was eventually invited to a New York Giants recruit-training camp in San Francisco in July of 1949.
Anyone who knows Ted will most certainly know that he was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. He would listen to or watch every Cubs game that he possibly could. He was fortunate to be able to travel to a Cubs game in his later years -- an experience that he treasured. While on that trip, he was able to meet former Chicago Cubs great Ron Santo. Mr. Santo was one of Ted's all-time favorite Cubs. He also loved to watch Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball and Indian Hills Warriors basketball as well.
Ted worked for many years as Superintendent of Public Works in Fairfield, retiring in 1990. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion in Ottumwa.
In his later years, Ted and his wife Colleen enjoyed traveling to Texas for the winters to spend time with good friends there. Ted also enjoyed spending time with family and friends, gardening, and traveling for his speaking engagements.
Ted is survived by his wife, Colleen SANER SPROUSE of Ottumwa, son Steve (Marlene) SPROUSE and daughter Vicki (Bob Mosher) PALM, both of Ottumwa, Son Rodney (Gloria) SPROUSE of Keosauqua, Ia., and stepchildren, Mike SANER and Jeannie SANER, both of Ottumwa, seven grandchildren, Daniel (Melissa) PALM, Kristi (Brian) GLOSSER, Nathan PALM, Beau (Darcie) SPROUSE, Onika (Mark) PARRISH, Makyla (James) MAIZE, and Obadiah SPROUSE, two step-grandchildren, Trent SANER and Dustin SANER, seventeen great-grandchildren, four sisters, Shirley McDONALD of Des Moines, Mary Jane LaMASTERS of Des Moines, Lois HOWELL of Colorado, Karen ROBINSON of Iowa, and one brother Kyle (Bub) SPROUSE of Illinois.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Eloise, brothers Rex, Don, and infant brother, Keith, and one sister, Betty ZAERR.
In Lieu of Flowers a memorial has been established. Memorials and cards can be sent to the Sprouse Family, PO Box 233, Ottumwa, IA 52501.
Copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.
Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
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