Loretta E. Sprague

Loretta made her home in Belleville, Ill., for over 50 years and had very loving and caring neighbors. After a hospital stay in December of 2005, she relocated to Pekin, Ill., to live with relatives. Loretta grew up and attended schools in Belleville. She worked for Princess Peggy for many years, retiring in 1981. She had many friends she met through various clubs and activities she belonged to. She was an avid bowler and was on many leagues. She also enjoyed exercising and line dancing. She was very fond of animals and loved her dog, Jet.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Mary M., nee Rebuffoni, Gent; a brother, Pete Gent; her twin sister, Lorene Dehmlow; and brother-in-law, Duane Dehmlow.

Surviving are nieces, Donna Seig of Carlock, Ill., Mary Martin of Bloomington-Normal, Ill., Lynette Vanderburg of Mapleton, Ill., Janelle Gilley of Caldwell, Texas, and Debbie Kirkpatrick and Cheri Holcomb of Pekin, Ill.; and nephews, Pete Gent of Kansas City, Mo., Paul Dehmlow of Unionville, Tenn., and Steve Dehmlow of Morton, Ill.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com

Visitation: Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, 2010, at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, 2010, at the funeral home with Rev. Doug Stewart officiating. Interment will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, Ill.

VALHALLA GAERDNER HOLTEN FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.