Galena Weekly Gazette
Feb. 27, 1919

"Two Sisters are Close in Death"

The Sproule family of Galena and Chicago were called upon to bear a second loss of their loved ones in less than a week's time when Miss Lorretta Sproule passed into final rest about seven o'clock Friday morning, Feb. 21st. The young woman had been very ill with influenza the first part of the week but was apparently recovering from this attack when she was stricken with scarlet fever which caused her death. Her sister Marcella, died of influenza and scarlet fever the first part of his week and was buried in Galena Tuesday morning. Miss Loretta Sproule was born in Rawlins township twenty-one years ago and when a girl moved to Galena with her parents. She attended the public schools after which she completed a stenographic course at Galena school of Stenography and later continued her education along business lines in Chicago. While in Galena Miss Sproule was employed in the office of the Central Union Telephone Co., and also had charge of collections of the company. It was while employed in this capacity that she made a wide circle of friends. In business matters Miss Sproule was efficient and courteous with a kindly and cheerful disposition so that her host of friends in Galena will greatly miss a true friend who has gone to a well earned reward.She is survived by her mother, Mrs. J.J. Sproule, who was at her bedside during her illness, five sisters, Mrs. W.D. Honohan, Mrs. J.A. Shewbridge, Mrs. O.G. Leach, all of Chicago, Mrs. Herbert Blumentritt of Chester, Minn., and Miss Hattie Sproule of California, also three brothers, A.R. Sproule and C.W. Sproule of Galena, and Sam Sproule of Washington.The body of Miss Loretta Sproule who died in Chicago Friday morning of influenza and scarlet fever was brought to Galena Saturday morning on the 5:30 I.C. train and taken directly to St. Michael's Catholic cemetery where interment was made. Rev. Father J.E. Shanahan of St. Michael's church officiated, saying the final prayers at the grave.

The pall bearers were the same young men who officiated at the burial of her sister, Miss Marcella Sproule on Tuesday of this week, namely; Charles Homrich, Edward O'Neill, E.M. Thompson, Russell Ward, Francis Ortscheld and Edward McGraw. Those whom attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Honohan, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Shewbridge of Chicago and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Blumentritt of Chester, Minn., Mrs. O.G. Leach of Chicago, another sister remained in that city with her mother. Mrs. J.J. Sproule who is overcome with grief but is bearing her double sorrow bravely.

Miss Sproule was employed as a stenographer by the J.O. Nesson Lumber Co. 122 S. Michigan Blvd.