Robert "Bob" Sprowls

Robert E. “Bob” Sprowls, 89, of Sheffield passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 5. 2017 at home surrounded by his loving family.  Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sheffield.  Father Mark Miller and Father Paul Meismer will be officiating.  Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Sheffield, with military honors accorded by Sheffield American Legion Post.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday as well as one hour prior to Mass on Friday all at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sheffield.  Rosary will be recited at 7 pm on Thursday at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Robert Sprowls Memorial Fund.  Stackhouse-Moore Funeral & Cremation Services, Sheffield, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Bob was born May 22, 1928 in Wyanet, IL, the son of Richard and Gertrude (Jones) Sprowls.  Bob graduated from Sheffield High School in 1946.  He served in the National Guard from 1946 to 1952 and in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954.  He married Marjorie Kane on July 16, 1949 in Sheffield.  She died on January 20, 1992.  He later married Ann Wallace Kaufman on August 13, 1994 in Sheffield.  She survives.  Bob began his work as a milk man for Richard’s Dairy of Kewanee.  He worked the majority of his life as a bulk distributor for Standard Oil.  Bob loved both his jobs and the customers with whom he interacted.

Memberships include, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sheffield, Knights of Columbus, Sheffield Lions Club, and Sheffield American Legion.  Bob also served as Trustee for the Sheffield Fire Protection Department for many years.  Bob had been active with Sheffield Youth Baseball for many years.  He worked as a referee for many years as well as volunteering as a scorekeeper in Football and Basketball for Western High School for 33 years and another 18 years for Bureau Valley High School.  Bob was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1994.  Bob also enjoyed bowling and golfing, playing in many leagues over the years, as well as playing cards.  The love of his life was family, and he especially loved to attend as many events as possible for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bob is survived by his wife, Ann; daughters, Deborah (Dan) Stetson, Princeton, IL and Karen Sampras, Mountain. View, CA; a son Robert J. (Mary) Sprowls, Upland, CA; stepdaughters, Kristal (Kevin) Barnett, Buda, and Susan Neuhalfen, Buda.  Also surviving are grandchildren, Alissa Soria, Aaron (Kara) Stetson, Brian (Bethany) Stetson, Erica (Josh) Kelsey, Jenny (Matt) Magnone, Gregory (Jessica) Sprowls, Jeffrey Sprowls, Lauren (Ben) Nolden, Dane Barnett, Saige Barnett,  Kale Barnett, Parker Neuhalfen, and Taylor Neuhalfen; great grandchildren, Bennett, Anneliese, Gage, Lydia, Grace, Caleb, Claire, Finley, Jack, Keller, Jude, and Kate; and a sister, Joyce (Tom) McLean, Desert Hot Springs, CA.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his 1st wife, granddaughter Jordan, brothers, John and Howard, and sisters, Velma Knippen, Helen Roush, Jean Anderson, Anita Newman, Ruby Humphrey, and Jennie Sprowls.