G. Frank Spry (1867-1943)

SPRY, BADE, WHIPPLE

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 12/20/2019 at 07:31:30

Obit posted in Ottumwa Courier May 1, 1943
Photo posted with obit
Frank Spry Succumbs At Noon Today

G. Frank Spry, prominent Ottumwa grain dealer and one of the city’s leading civic workers, died at 12:15 p.m. today at the Ottumwa hospital. Only last Monday, he was the victim of a fall in his home at 435 North Court street when he suffered a broken shoulder and other injuries. He was taken to the Ottumwa hospital, where his condition was reported as “grave” and remained throughout the week, though death came suddenly just after noon today. Mr. Spry was 75 years old and had been in failing health for some time prior to the accident. Mr. Spry’s civic interest were many and varied. He was a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, a past president of the Ottumwa Hospital association past president of the old Wapello club, member of the Rotary club, vice president of the board and member of the local Elks lodge, and for many years a leader in the work of the First Presbyterian church. In years past Mr. Spry was active in advisory councils of Republican party politics, both locally and in the state. While he claimed that business was his hobby, those who know him intimately found a hobby of which he never talked. He had a deep affection for young people, both boys and girls, and through the years he has befriended many young people—financial assistance for schooling, a start in business or on the farm, kindly and helpful advice to the youth of his acquaintance…that was his secret hobby of which only a few ever found out. C. Frank Spry was born November 14, 1867, in Wapello county, the son of H.N. and Eberilla Bade Spry. He graduated from the Ottumwa business college in 1886, and was married November 24, 1884, to Bernice E. Whipple in Ottumwa. He was especially fond of the land and it was probably his great interest in better farming that influenced him to go into the grain business. From 1889 to 1892 he represented the Kizer & Pearson Milling Co. as a salesman, then for 10 years he was with the Jones & Buchanan Grain Co. and in 1902 he became a partner in the Spry Bros, Grain Co. at 209 West Main street. There he had given active and constant personal supervision for more than 40 years. Mr. Spry is survived by his wife, Mrs. Bernice Whipple Spry, and by one sister, Miss Dora Spry of Ottumwa. The body has been removed to the Lester Jay funeral home to await the completion of funeral arrangements.

Funeral services for G. Frank Spry, who died Saturday at the Ottumwa hospital, were held at 2 o’clock this afternoon from the Lester Jay funeral home. The services were in charge of the Rev. Richard Paul Graebel, D.D. pastor of the First Presbyterian church, and burial was in Ottumwa cemetery. The pallbearers were, Snowden Scott, Oswald Butler, Alvin Irwin, Eugene Wulfkuhler, Rowe Hinsey and M.L. Richard of Mt. Pleasant.