Lawrence Paul Sprouse Jr., 75, Altoona, passed away after a brief illness Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023 at UPMC Altoona. Raised in Gallitzin, PA by his parents Lawrence Sr and Mary (Merlini) Sprouse, he lived most of his life in Altoona, PA with his wife Catherine (Butch), his high school sweetheart, as members of St. Therese's parish.

He graduated from Bishop Carroll High School and then pursued studies at St. Francis and Penn State University. His many interests included  Penn State athletics, hunting, his '65 Corvette Stingray, coin collecting, but most importantly, his family and his four sons, their wives and all twelve grandchildren. He loved spending time with them, attending their important events and was incredibly proud of their achievements and the people they have become.

He was devoted to his many nieces, nephews and siblings and often hosted gatherings for family events to help bring everyone together. He was always quick with a joke, quick to laugh and left an impression on everyone he met. He was a veteran of the US Army, long time JC Penney employee and retired from the Department of Public Welfare.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Mary; his in-laws, Curtis and Mary Butch; and brother in-law, Joseph A Plewa. Surviving are his loving wife Catherine (Butch) Sprouse; his siblings: Cynthia, Lisa, Jeffrey and Victor. He also leaves behind his children and their families including son, Lawrence C. Sprouse and wife Christina (Kowalski) and their children: Margaret, Abigail, Lawrence Jr, John, and Emma; his son, Vincent and children: Vincent and Lianna; son, Mark with his wife Heather (Abram) and their children: Mark, Maximus, and James; and son, Michael married to Lisa (Gormley) and their children: Lucy and Michael; sister in law, Elaine Plewa, brother-in-law, Donald Butch and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all who loved him including his family, friends, neighbors, fellow parishioners and coworkers.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, at Santella Funeral Home, where a vigil for the deceased will be held. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Committal will be at St. Xavier Cemetery in Cresson.