Larry Sproston
September 16, 1936 ~ June 4, 2019
Larry Sproston, 82, died Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at St Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Memorial Service: 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 10, 2019, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Mount Vernon, by Pastor Sean Hansen. Visitation: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, June 9, 2019, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Burial: Lisbon Cemetery, Lisbon.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Janelle; sons, Michael (Elizabeth) Sproston and Devin (Shelby) Sproston; grandchildren, Matthew, Molly, Maggie, Grace, and Jaxsen Sproston; daughter-in-law, Lisa Alger; nephews, Gary Knapp, Lester Mikulecky Jr., Galen Sproston; nieces Sharon Erenberger, Pat Strickland; extended family members including Luke and Melissa Alger; and beloved Corgi, Shela.
Larry Wayne Sproston was born September 16, 1936, in rural Mount Vernon to Ambrose and Viola (Becker) Sproston. He was a lifelong resident of Lisbon. In Larry's early years, he worked in factories and ran the Conoco Station in Lisbon. Larry met Janelle through his nephew, Gary Knapp, who was her classmate. After they married on September 29, 1957 in Anamosa, Larry and Janelle started farming and raising three sons, Michael, Craig, and Devin. Later, he worked for the Lisbon and Mount Vernon schools as a mechanic and bus driver, retiring in 1999.
Larry's nickname was 'Speed' for his love of cars and fast driving. He was a self-taught mechanic and loved to tinker with anything that needed fixing. He was a story teller and loved going down memory lane to share his stories with any one that would listen. He also loved to write, and was currently working on a Western novel.
He was preceded in death by his son that passed at a young age, Craig Sproston; parents; sisters, Mable, Maxine, Wilma; niece, Kathy; brother, William; three brothers-in-law; and one sister-in-law.
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I couldn’t have asked for a better father in law. I have known Larry for over 36 years and what a kind, wonderful, caring man he was. I enjoyed sitting with him and listening to his stories, even if I had heard them many times before. I also enjoyed watching Western movies with him. Larry and Janelle would come visit us every year in Georgia and then we had the pleasure of having them live next to for two winters in Georgia. It was so nice to see them every day and get to know them even better! I learned so much from Larry. I still can’t believe he has left us and I will never forget him. What a great guy.
we unfortunately never met Larry personally but our son Adrien had the pleasure to meet him and told us how much he enjoyed his company. We offer you our sincere condolences. Frankie and Rick Johnson and sons Adrien and Louis
We have been neighbors for over 40 years, so there are a lot of memories in that span of time. We cut firewood together, harvested corn, did a lot of just visiting. We watched each other’s kids grow up and saw the pride he had in his. He was always interesting for his stories. He got hit hard by the CB craze and it seemed day or night you could hear the Lisbon Country Boy calling for a Break on channel 4. He did move on to FB after that. The memories are many and will be greatly missed.
Larry was a wonderful grandfather. Despite living so far away from me and my sister, grandpa visited at least once a year and made special visits for the big events such as graduation. I always looked forward to my grandparents visiting, and I have very fond memories of spending time with him at their farm. Grandpa was able to live next door during the winters for a few years when I was still living at home in Georgia, and I am grateful for the time I got to spend with him. I will remember his stories and kindness. Grandpa, I will miss you!
A kind and caring grandfather that will be missed forever and whose stories will never be forgotten.
Larry was an older friend from south of town that I just knew back then through other friends but I always remembered as someone as friendly and fun loving and always nice to others, even the younger “kids”……when FB became the social venue we reconnected and reminisced a bit about those many years ago…..may you RIP Larry…..you will have a special place in Heaven I have no doubt! Always a Lisbon girl, Rita Bigley Knight-Shaw
My condolences to Mr.Sproston’s Family, In this hour of pain it’s the memories of your loved ones that keeps you going this time of sadness. May you find comfort in your memories as you remember loved one, note that God can give you the strength to cope even with death as God heals your hearts.(Philippians 4:13)