Deceased Members

Obituary for Lewis B. Sprague
ADRIAN – Lewis B. Sprague, age 70 of Adrian, passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at University of Michigan Hospital.
Born March 5, 1948, in Adrian, Michigan, he was the son of Bernard and Esther (Dohm) Sprague. Lew was a 1966 graduate of Adrian High School and earned an Associate’s Degree from what is now Jackson College. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.
On May 28, 1994, he married Tommie Oliver Pearcy, and she survives.
Lew was a master electrician for Service Electric for 28 years. In his retirement he continued working as an electrical inspector for Cambridge Township, the Village of Blissfield and Riga Township. For several summers, he and Tommie also worked events at Michigan International Speedway. Lew was a member of IBEW Local 8, IAEI, and the Brewster Society as well as a former member of Civitan of Lenawee. He mentored many students at the LISD and also served on their advisory board. Lew shared his love of origami with family, friends and others he taught at the Adrian Senior Center. He and Tommie enjoyed traveling extensively and collecting kaleidoscopes.
Lew was devoted to his family and will be greatly missed by those surviving including Tommie, his wife of almost 25 years; children: Tammy McGhee of Macon, GA, Matthew Sprague of Tecumseh, Darci (Terry) Francoeur of Onsted, Kathy (Todd) Brewer of Clayton, Beth (Mike) Bowden of McKinney, TX; a sister, Neva Kinney of Cheyenne, WY; 11 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; numerous nieces; 1 nephew and a multitude of friends.
At Lew’s request, cremation will take place. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at Adrian First Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Michael Wood officiating and military honors conducted by the VFW Annis Fint Post #1584 and American Legion Post #97. Visitation will be held at Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian on Monday from 2 to 8 p.m.
Contributions in memory of Lew are suggested to Melanoma Research at University of Michigan Hospital, Lenawee Humane Society or Hope Community Center. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.

Jim Received a 30 year certificate and Pin at the Annual Meeting in 2018.

BAKER, JIM of Jackson, passed away at the age of 67, unexpectedly while on vacation in Florida on Saturday, January 19, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Schave) Baker; two children, Jimmy (Atalie) Baker and Tanya (Keith) Koehler; five grandchildren, Raelynn, Avery, Kassandra, Toby and Bella; brother, Kenny (Laura) Baker; sister, Kris Baker as well as nieces, nephews, loving family members and friends. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his sister, Holly Baker. He was born in Trenton, Michigan on July 17, 1951 to James and Ruth (Rapp) Baker and is a 1970 graduate of Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte, Michigan. Jim spent his working career as an electrical inspector. He and Patricia raised their family in Southgate, Michigan and Jim retired from Great Lakes Steel in 2001. They relocated to Jackson to enjoy living on the lake. Jim also was employed with the city of Ann Arbor for eleven years and then went on to work for the University of Michigan as well as Napoleon and Rollin Townships. He was a hard working family man. He enjoyed traveling, camping and making people laugh. Under the Amateur Radio call sign N8RWK, his reach spanned from local events, to the other side of the world. He always seemed to know when his help was needed, and was always there to give a hand – with a great sense of humor in everything he did. He touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed. A service honoring his life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church (122 W. Wesley Street Jackson, MI 49201) on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Scott Sommerfeld officiating. The family will receive friends at Chas. J. Burden & Son Funeral Home for visitation on Friday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and again at the Church one hour prior to the service. He will be laid to rest at Oakgrove Cemetery in Napoleon Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions made to Trinity Lutheran Church or to the Jackson Interfaith Shelter will be appreciated.

Published in Heritage Newspapers on Jan. 23, 2019

Carlton D. Trouteaud, age 86, passed away May 31, 2018 with his loving wife Mitzie by his side. Carl is survived by his wife Rosemarie “Mitzie”; daughter Gerri (Calvin) Powell and son Jim Trouteaud; grandchildren: Ryan (Amy) DePriest, Danielle (Matt) Fornes, great grandchildren Chloe Reust and Benjamin; sisters Betty Jean (Bob), Susan Wright (Tom) and sister in law Jackie wife of deceased cherished brother Burton. He is also survived by his brother in law Bernie (Jeanette) Kolodziejski andmany nieces and nephews. Carl was well known for his love of playing the calliope and often played for children’s charity events in the Detroit area. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 6 at the First United Methodist Church of South Lyon, 640 S. Lafayette, South Lyon. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of South Lyon Memorial Garden. www.phillipsfuneral.com

Here is a reflection from Brian Kiley:

Thanks for sharing the information about Carl. Carl was a great asset to our organization not to mention how good he was playing the piano for all the members.
He was a big help for me when I was getting started in the electrical industry.

I met Carl at one of the IAEI conferences before I became a master electrician.

I wish you all had the experience of knowing Carl. He was a great individual, IAEI Member and secretary.