Ira Newman Spradley, age 97 of Limestone, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital in Russellville, Arkansas.

He was born on September 17, 1911 at Limestone, the son of William Alexander and Sophia Elizabeth (Thompson) Spradley.

Ira was a postmaster at Limestone and Deer for 35 years and a farmer. He was a member of the Valley View Church of Christ and life time resident of Limestone. He was a school board member at Deer for 21 years, an avid Antler and Cardinal fan. He loved hunting and fishing and talking with family and friends about ancestry. Ira was a Sunday School teacher, song leader, and taught school at Valley View School in Limestone for many years.

In 1998, he was named Newton County Senior Farmer of the year.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruby Emma (Adams) Spradley; four brothers and three sisters.

Survivors are his children, Shirley (Spradley) Cooper of Deer, Larry Spradley of Deer, Jerry Spradley of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Garry Spradley of Limestone and Lynn Spradley of Deer; a sister-in-law, Freda Giles of Bixby, OK; six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Funeral services were Friday, July 3, 2009 at the Deer School Gymnasium with bobby Young officiating. Burial followed in the Deer Cemetery under the direction of Coffman Funeral Home of Jasper. Visitation is from 6-8 PM, Thursday, July 2, 2009 at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Lynn, Kevin, and Michael Spradley, Harry Swain, Frank Faught, and Bil Brasel. Honorary pallbearers are Larry Mount, special friend, Carey Lee Hess, Stanley Gilmore, William Burdine, Jimmy Clayborn, Jerry Clayborn, David Cooper, Don Rowland and Billy Barber.

Online condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com