James Sprouse

James Douglas Sprouse passed away peacefully at his home in Grand Rapids, MI on April 18, 2026, at the age of 77, surrounded by loved ones following a hard-fought battle with cancer. Throughout his life, he was known for his kindness, loyalty, fun-loving nature, and integrity. He never saw problems, only challenges to solve — whether with people, building materials, or numbers.

Jim was born on October 16, 1948, to Irvine Franklin Sprouse and Bernice (Gibbons) Sprouse in Clay County, IN. He grew up in Staunton, IN, where he played baseball in high school and became a lifelong Dodgers fan. After high school, he briefly attended Rose Polytechnic Institute before realizing it wasn’t the right fit, and transferred to Indiana State University in Terre Haute, where he earned his teaching degree in math education. During this time, he met the love of his life, Lana (Murphy), in 1968, and they were married in March 1969. They started a family and moved to Richmond, IN, where Jim began his teaching career in 1971.

He started painting houses in the summers and partnered with Leslie McClain, who became a lifelong friend; their families remain close after more than 50 years. In 1978, his late brother Tom encouraged him to start in Amway. Jim often said he lost a lot of money but learned a lot about himself — an experience that changed the trajectory of his life. In 1981, he left teaching and began selling insurance with Horace Mann, the first in a series of successful business ventures. He went on to work for Erie Insurance, opened Sprouse Insurance Agency, sold real estate with Century 21, prepared taxes, and eventually transitioned to the banking and mortgage industry. Along the way, he earned his MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Over his 30-year career, Jim earned several notable awards, including “Small Business of the Year for Wayne County” for Sprouse Insurance Agency, the “President’s Award” from U.S. Bank, “Agent of the Year” from Horace Mann, and the “Auto Insurance Profitability Award” six years in a row from Erie Insurance. He retired from banking in 2012, and he and Lana moved to Grand Rapids, MI in 2016. He spent the last 14 years enjoying being Papaw to his 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, traveling with his best friend and wife, golfing, watching the Colts, researching his family history, tinkering, and working in his yard.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Lana (Murphy) Sprouse; his children, James “Rodney” Sprouse and Shannon (Greg) Mechan; his grandchildren, Amanda (Josh) Weaver, Joshua Sprouse, Hailey Sprouse, Sarah Mechan, and Emily Mechan; and his six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Irvine Franklin Sprouse and Bernice (Gibbons) Sprouse; his brother, Thomas Sprouse; his sister, Janice (Sprouse) Cox; and his grandson, James “Dylan” Sprouse.

Memorial contributions are encouraged for Hospice of Michigan, 989 Spaulding SE, Ada, MI 49301, or online at secure.qgiv.com/for/hospiceofmichigan  .

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Smith-McQuiston & Webster Funeral Home, 321 US Hwy 27, Fountain City, IN 47341.