Samuel F. Sprunger
Dr. Samuel Frank Sprunger, 88, of Schererville graduated to Heaven on Thursday, June 8, 2017. He was born on February 8, 1929 in Monroe as the eighth child of Robert and Rhoda Sprunger. He was married on September 2, 1951 to Donna Mae Sprunger.
His parents owned a small grocery store in Monroe. After the Depression, the business closed, and the family moved to Berne when he was a small boy. Berne became his hometown, and he graduated from Berne-French High School in 1947. After attending Goshen College and then graduating from Bob Jones University, he married his high school sweetheart. He graduated from Bob Jones with a Pastoral Theology degree and took his first pastorate shortly after at the Saucon Mennonite Church in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. He went on to pastor three more churches – Abrams Community Chapel in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; First Baptist Church in Eaton Rapids, Michigan; and Howardsville Gospel Chapel in Marcellus, Michigan. He and his wife were also the directors of a children’s home in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. In 1976, he began teaching Bible at Hyles-Anderson College in Crown Point, and his family became members of the First Baptist Church of Hammond. He taught a boy’s Sunday school class for many years and also taught a “B” Adult Sunday school class. He was a vital part of the Fisherman’s Club soul-winning ministry for many years and also took young, college men to Chicago every Friday night to go street preaching. He was given an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 2002 from Hyles-Anderson College.
He had an infectious laugh and always had a smile on his face. He was well-known for his daily “corn” (jokes) as he started his classes. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be dearly missed. He spent his life serving the Lord and others, just as his Saviour did. I Corinthians 15:57-58.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Rebecca (Jay) Towne of Schererville; and Rhoda (Robert) Smith of St. Philip, Barbados; sister, Betty Gurley of Massachusetts; sister-in-law, Carol Sprunger of Berne; four grandchildren, Ashley Towne; Laura (John) Barnes; Robert Smith, III; and Rebecca Smith; a great-grandchild to be born this December; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and six brothers, Robert, Donald, Edgar, Eugene, John and Roy Sprunger.
Visitation will be two hours prior to the 1:00 p.m. funeral service on Thursday, June 15 at First Baptist Church, Jack Hyles Memorial Auditorium, 523 Sibley St., Hammond. A private entombment will be at Memory Lane Memorial Park, 6305 W. Lincoln Highway (US 30), Crown Point.
Arrangements provided by Memory Lane Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.memorylanepark.com.