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Alvin Spraley Obituary
NORTH STAR -- Alvin (AJ) Spraley, age 96, of North Star Ohio, died on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville. He was born December 30, 1925 in Dayton to the late Robert & Mary (Grilliot) Spraley. He is preceded in death by his wife Rita L. (Hohl) Wenning-Spraley. He is survived by four step-children Margie (John) Heitbrink of McCartyville, Linda (Leo) Wehrkamp of North Star, Charlie Wenning of Conner, Montana and Tom Wenning of Asheville, NC; six grandchildren, Jessica (Jason) Howell, Jeanna (Jeff) Heitkamp, Gwenn (Michael) Barga, Shawn (Georgia) Wehrkamp, Alyssa (Jacob) DeMange and Sara (Mike) Brenner; 28 great-grandchildren; a sister, Velma Rice of Dayton; a brother-in-law Martin Hohl of Centerville; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by a stepson Joe Wenning, a great-grandchild, siblings and in-laws, John (Evelyn) Spraley, James (Melba) Spraley and Bernie Rice.
Alvin first went to North Star Elementary, graduated from Versailles High School in 1944, attended the University of Dayton and Wright State University and received degrees in Civil engineering and geology. Alvin was a wartime veteran of WW II serving in the Army Air Corps and a recipient of the Purple Heart for permanent injuries received in European Theatre of Operations. He was a lifetime member of the Darke County Chapter 57 of the Disabled American Veterans, member and past commander of the North Star American Legion and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Greenville. Alvin was a civil engineer for the Ohio Department of Transportation in Sidney and a private surveyor. Alvin served the community of North Star as Mayor 1953-1957, as Police Chief (Constable) 1957-2012, he was a founding member of the fire department serving from 1949-2009 and on the rescue squad from 1949-1975. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church, the Men's Holy Name and the Coldwater Eagles.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at St. Louis Catholic Church, North Star. Burial will follow with military rites in St. Louis Cemetery, North Star. Friends may call on Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater and on Thursday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at St. Louis Church. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Alvin Spraley
Sam Thobe
February 21, 2022
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Alvin.
Judge Jonathan Hein
February 20, 2022
In addition to Alvin's numerous services to the community, he accepted my appointment to serve on the Darke County Veteran' Service Commission. And he did so with honor and dignity. Alvin truly invested in others!
It was sad to learn of his passing when I recently returned from vacation. Please accept my condolences.
Diane
February 17, 2022
I can't imagine how much you will miss Alvin. I think of all of you daily! I am sincerely happy for him; because he is home! I guess I am just grateful to have had the honor to try & get to know him. I knew he was very intelligent; because he didn't miss the opportunity to marry an amazing Lady; & knew how grateful he was to be a part of each and every one of your lives!
Not a day goes by I don't thank GOD for allowing me to have the honor to get to know your truly awesome family. I shed tears of happiness when I think of all of you! Then I think of my treasured memories; & I am soon shedding tears from laughing so hard & of course couldn't stop to save my life. Then the tears of sadness; (which we all know is mostly self-pity); because I miss all of you so very much! My tears today are a mixture of knowing people I LOVE are hurting; & I am powerless to take your pain away! Also, I have of joy & happiness that you have one more person you love home where he can be with you; and NO DOUBT will be able to be by all of your sides; when you are not physically in the same place.
I believe that your Mom, Dad, & Joe were waiting with open arms to welcome home! I picture them thrilled and laughing together at you & enjoy it all the more because they know; without a doubt, you will all be laughing all together again one day; and in the mean time; they are taking advantage of GOD's PERFECT SENSE OF HUMOR; and get to laugh at all of you; (not mockingly), but with PURE LOVE!!
Know I am praying and thinking of you numerous times a day; as I have done for what seems like an eternity! Because when you love truly love someone; even though you haven't seen them in forever, your LOVE is Stronger as each day goes by! It makes your heart ache even more painful; you are thanking GOD for the pain; because it wouldn't be there if he hadn't blessed you with the gift of their presence in your life!!!
As always I can't seem to be capable of making anything brief; I guess how I hate when people I love are hurting; I hurt too! But I am trying to remember, not to think I should be able to do something to make it go away. But, of course as always, I learn the hard way; and forget easily how much of a mess I can create; by trying to do something only GOD can do!
With more love than I thought possible know that I am here if you need anything that I can do to help!!
LOVE, DIANE
Melissa Rindler Fisher
February 16, 2022
Our hearts and thoughts are with you during this time of grieving. Please know that your family is not alone in remembering a truly wonderful man Alvin was and that he meant a lot and did a lot for such small community.
Alvin was always so sweet when we spoke to one another.
Fred Dean
February 14, 2022
Greenville American Legion post 140/VFW7262
Alvin we be missed by all, so sorry, hope to make it Thursday
Jerry prueter
February 14, 2022
Sorry for your loss he was a good man
Tom Spraley
February 12, 2022
What a kind and gentle man.
Linda Gephart
February 12, 2022
I worked with Alvin many, many years ago at ODOT. He was the NICEST man and had a WIT about him that would put a smile on anybody’s face. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Janet and Chuck Kemper
February 11, 2022
Alvin was definitely a pillar in the community of North Star. He will be greatly missed. Our sympathies to the family during this sad time. He and Rita are now reunited in heaven. Rest in Peace!
Melanie Parin
February 10, 2022
Deepest sympathy love and prayers to all of you on the loss of Alvin. Good memories. Of such a patriot and dedicated to our community . God bless him and May he Rest In Peace love to all
Raymond Broerman
February 10, 2022
Linda, Leo and Family sorry for your loss Melvin was one great man will be deeply missed
George Stuck
February 10, 2022
Marcy and I would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family. Alvin will be missed by everyone. God Bless. ✝
Rick & Nancy Shepherd
February 10, 2022
Rick & I are so sorry for your loss of Alvin. He always looked after my Dad(Elmer H. Stuck) pertaining to being a veteran & were friends all their life! We love talking with him anytime we saw him. He was such a kind man. God Bless.✝✝✝
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N. J. Hogenkamp Sons, Inc. - Coldwater715 E. Main Street, Coldwater, OH 45828
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N. J. Hogenkamp Sons, Inc. - Coldwater715 E. Main Street, Coldwater, OH 45828
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