MENTONE - Richard A. Sponseller, 63, of 7455 W. 100N, Warsaw (rural Atwood), passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family at 12:43 a.m. Dec. 29, 2010, after a nine-month battle with esophageal cancer.
He was born June 19, 1947, in Warsaw, to Robert O. and Ruth M. Hawley Sponseller. On July 26, 1991, in Etna Green, he married Donna Shively Pettit, who survives in Warsaw.
He was a farmer. He started helping local farmers while he was in high school, being a simple man who loved the smell of the earth in the spring; it was then that he knew he wanted to be a farmer. After serving in the U.S. Army he returned home and owned a bulk milk route hauling milk into Milnot in Warsaw. He and his brother started raising ducks for Maple Leaf Farms, which continued for a span of 30 years.
He attended Etna Green grade school, and graduated from Mentone High School in 1966. He served in the U.S. Army and while stationed in Vietnam Richard was wounded during a fire fight, he received a Purple Heart. He seldom spoke of his wounds and many that knew him never noticed his limp from the bullet that tore through his leg. Richard was a long-time member of the Etna Green United Methodist Church most recently serving as chairman of the board of trustees. He served on the local Soil and Water Conservation Committee and was a Farm Bureau member. Richard enjoyed collecting farm toys and case tractors, he always enjoyed a tractor show and seldom missed a local toy show. He also loved attending his grandchildren's school and sporting events. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Also surviving are three children: Kim (and spouse Eric) Waggoner, Etna Green; Chris (and spouse Travena) Pettit, Mentone; and Josh (and spouse Melissa) Pettit, LaPorte; three brothers, Steve (and spouse Jan) Sponseller, Bryan (and spouse Lisa) Sponseller, all of Atwood, and Gary (and spouse Kathy) Sponseller, Etna Green; 10 grandchildren; five nephews; and two nieces.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Etna Green United Methodist Church, with Pastor Joe Lampton, officiating. Burial will be in Harrison Center Cemetery, Etna Green, where graveside military rites will be conducted by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Warsaw.
Calling is from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday at King Memorial Home, Mentone.
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Memorials may be made to Etna Green United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 161, Etna Green, IN 46524.
Condolences may be sent via www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com
