Funeral Services for Ramon Sprague, age 86, of O'Neill, Nebraska will be 1:30 pm Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with Rev. Joe Schneider officiating. Burial will be in the Inman Cemetery with Military Rites provided by the O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post 93. Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm Wednesday at Biglin's Mortuary before the funeral. Ramon passed away at Arbor Care Center in O'Neill. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Biglin's Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ramon Lee Sprague was born on October 23, 1934 in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska to Glenn and Grace (Allen) Sprague. He moved with his family to the Inman area and graduated from Inman High School in 1952. He worked various jobs until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 15, 1955. He attended boot camp at the Great Lakes and then onto Norman, Oklahoma for SCUBA School for 3 months. He then was stationed in San Diego for a time and his final 18 months were spent in the Mariana Islands. He was Honorably Discharged on January 29, 1959.

Ramon married Naomi Ross on October 8, 1959 in O'Neill. To this union, five children were born. The couple lived in Wood Lake, Nebraska, then Newport, before returning to O'Neill in 1966. He worked as a ranch hand most of his life, including at the Schaffer Ranch, south of Emmet. He later worked for O'Neill Fertilizer until he retired in the early 2000's.

Ramon was a tinkerer who loved to weld and build things. When he was done with a project, you knew it was well built. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially outdoors. He liked to ride motorcycles and give his grandchildren rides.

Ramon is survived by his four children; Vicki (Lonnie) Doty of Inman, Glen Sprague of Lincoln, Gaylen Sprague of Inman, and Viona Burkinshaw of O'Neill; two grandchildren, Steven (Stacey) Doty of Plattsmouth and Shanna (Aaron) Beard of Hastings; seven great grandchildren, Sirena Doty, Soren Doty, Kobi Ennen, Ayden Beard, Austin Beard, Shayleigh Beard, and Shyloh Beard; one brother, Russell Sprague of Omaha; and several nieces and nephews.

Ramon was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Naomi Sprague in 2017; and an infant son in 1963.