Jean Sprague Catt

Mrs. Jean Sprague Catt, 88, of Oblong, IL, died June 21, 2021, at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson, IL, after several months of declining health. She was born March 7, 1933, in Flat Rock, IL, the daughter of Arthur & Eva (Brashear) VanWinkle. She married William Sprague of Robinson, and they had three children. Bill was killed in a semi-truck accident in 1973. At that time, Jean had been attending nursing school but had to give up her dream of becoming a nurse to support her family. However, this didn't stop her from taking care of people. She worked at the hospital and nursing homes as a nurse's aide and then became a sitter for the elderly in their homes. Jean was never afraid of hard work and always kept busy doing the things she loved: hunting mushrooms, fishing, camping, sewing, and crocheting. Her family was important to her, and she loved being with them. She married Dale "Dick" Siverly from Oblong, and they enjoyed many good years together fishing at the river, spending time at the cabin, and gardening. After his death, Jean began to help serve and deliver meals at the Senior Citizens Center in Oblong. There, she met and eventually married Edward Catt of Oblong. She and Ed were involved in their church and met many people camping for years until his death. In addition to her parents (Arthur & Eva VanWinkle) and her husbands (Bill Sprague, Dick Siverly, and Ed Catt), she was also preceded in death by her brothers & sisters-in-law, John & Mary VanWinkle, Frank VanWinkle, and Bill & Rita VanWinkle, and by her sisters & brothers-in-law, Juanita Shipman, Irene & Tom Newlin, and Shirley Pippin. She is survived by her children, Doug & Dana (Twigg) Sprague (Robinson, IL), Mike & Terri (Hoadley) Sprague (Gosport, IN), and Diane Sprague (Olney, IL); by her step-daughter & step-son-in-law, Lisa (Catt) & Rick Tarpley (Olney, IL); by her grandchildren, Laycie (Sprague) & Steve Eskoz (Wauconda, IL), Dustin & Toni (Barnes) Sprague (Robinson, IL), Mindy (Sprague) & Raymond Richards (Oblong, IL) and Keegan Tarpley (Olney, IL); by her great-grandchildren, Calvin Eskoz, Fitz Eskoz, Elsie Eskoz, Kensley Sprague, Maylee Robb, Eli Robb, and Carter Robb; as well as several nieces and nephews. A time of visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 25th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Following the visitation, family and friends are invited to join in procession to the Macedonia Cemetery (rural Cumberland County, IL), where a graveside service will be officiated by Pastor Mike Root. Memorial contributions may be made to "Cornerstone Church", with envelopes available at the funeral home.