MARGUERITE C. SPRENGLE (nee Curry) June 9, 1930 – March 22, 2018, Age 87. Longtime resident of Franklinville, recently Glassboro, N.J. went to meet her Dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in glory on March 22, 2018. Predeceased by parents J. Leon Curry and Ethel M. Burrough Curry. Predeceased by brother and sister in law, Howard B. Curry (Doris K.) Predeceased by husband of 57 years E. Carl Sprengle, Sr. Children: E. Carl Sprengle, Jr. (Patricia), Eric C. Sprengle, Sr., (Diana Pierce) and Rebecca S. Bertino (Anthony). Seven Grandchildren: Eric C. Sprengle (Hillary), Jacob W. Sprengle (Myranda), Nathan O. Sprengle, Eric C. Sprengle, Jr., Alexander J. Sprengle (Jessica), Amber R. Bertino, Heather J. Bertino. Great grandson: Benjamin David Sprengle, son of Jacob and Myranda, born 3/20/18, 1st Day of Spring, making her a great grand-grammy.
Marguerite, a “Cross Keys original”, was born and raised in the five generation 1852 Hurff – Curry family farmhouse that once sat at the center of the once rural small town community of Cross Keys at Rte. 555 and Berlin Road. She grew up on the farm with her dear brother, Howard when Cross Keys was surrounded by vast farmland and when good neighbors were easy to find just up the road a-ways. The farm and the old barns were her childhood playground during the depression, but “never felt poor because we had a farm and had food.”
Marguerite attended the old Bunker Hill School, then on Hurffville Rd., graduated from Glassboro High School, class of 1948 and the Moore Institute of Art, Science and Industry that merged with the Philadelphia School of Design for Women in Philadelphia, PA in 1952; taking the bus to “the big city” daily with art supplies in tow. She worked as a commercial artist/illustrator for several companies locally and out of state and pursued her creativity in the fine arts of painting and drawing.
She and Carl lived in many different states across the country while Carl was in the U.S. Army and wherever Carl found a job that held his interest and made good use of his talents. During their young married years, they enjoyed their two boxer dogs Rik I and Rik II and gained many dear friends whilst living around the United States, including a dear couple that still resides in England, “The Kings of England”. Marguerite would keep in touch with their various friends through many letters over the years, while still keeping their hometown friendships. They enjoyed boating on the South Jersey waterways and the Chesapeake with good friends, Frank and Betty, on the “Mar-Bet” that they co-owned together. They also traveled with and spent many summer weeks at Bob and Lil’s house “up country” on a serene mountain lake in New Hampshire.
After living in Virginia, they returned home to Cross Keys in 1966 and owned and operated Carl’s Country Store (formally the Allen T. Hurff store) for six years before Carl started his work with WECOM, Inc. Moving yet again, to Franklinville, Marguerite cultivated her interest in history and genealogy and had a knack for research. With the help of a family cousin, Hazel B. Simpson, she traced her family back to the original landowners of Gloucester County, “the proprietors”. She is also a direct descendant of the Hurff family of Hurffville that emigrated from Germany to Philadelphia in 1734. She was a devoted member of the Red Bank Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution for 44 years, serving as chapter regent 1992-1995, chaplain, registrar and several other titles over many years. Her talent with genealogical research helped many people trace themselves back into their own ancestry. As a lifelong devoted member of Cross Keys United Methodist Church, she served her Lord in many roles especially in that of the first official Church Historian and Missions Chairperson, Youth Group Leader, Sunday School Teacher and Secretary. Her early church mission work, local and abroad, paved the way for the mission-orientated church that Cross Keys is today. She was a past member of the Gloucester County Historical Society, the Monroe Township Historical Society, the Hall Street School Alumni and Booster Association in Williamstown (Carl was the “alumni”), The National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, The Pennsauken Historical Society, and as a youth, a member of the Cross Keys Grange. Marguerite was one of the last remaining historical experts of the past rural Cross Keys community.
Her pleasant wit and humor and wonderful yummy “Grammy Rolls” will be fondly remembered. Moreover, she was the best mom, a loving Grammy, a true friend and genuine lady. She lived a very blessed life that touched on so many and leaves a legacy of love that will remain in the hearts of all who knew her. Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Wednesday, April 4th from 9:30 – 11:00 am at the Cross Keys United Methodist Church, 1644 N. Main Street, Williamstown, where a service will follow at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in her memory to The Red Bank Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Donations should be sent in care of Reva Meighan, Treasurer, Red Bank Chapter DAR, 655 Miami Road, Wenonah, N.J. 08090-1126. To sign the guestbook online please visit www.farnellifuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of the Farnelli Funeral Home of Williamstown.
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