Neil Milton Springer

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. Neil Milton Springer, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away at the age of 82 on Monday, September 20, 2010 after a month long battle with West Nile virus disease. He was surrounded by family. He was born January 10, 1928 in Waterville, KS to Gerald and Ruth (Anderson) Springer and was the third of nine children. He married Margaret Louise Chapman on March 24, 1950, in Bethune, CO. They celebrated 60 joyous years of marriage this year. In 1956, Neil and Marge moved to Paonia, CO and then to Grand Junction, CO in 2000. Neil honorably served in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954. He was a partner in Chapman & Sons and an owner of North Fork Coal until his retirement in 1992. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish and spend time in the mountains. He was a skilled craftsman and enjoyed building furniture for his family. His ability to fix anything will be sorely missed. He is survived by three sisters, Elaine Randle, Overland Park, KS; Lola Zabokrtsky, Barnes, KS; and Marianne Spano, Topeka, KS and three brothers, Keith Springer, Topeka, KS; Lee Springer (Barbara), Wilmington, IL; and Larry Springer, Grand Junction, CO. His children are Debra Devereaux (Harry), Ft. Collins, CO; Craig Springer (Jeannean), Grand Junction, CO; Deanne Vay, San Diego, CA; and Carol Springer (Dennis Engel), Wenatchee, WA. The eleven grandchildren are Joe and Courtney Devereaux; Ryan (Brie), Jennifer and Amanda Springer; Adriana Grindell, Nick and Tory Vay; and Thomas, Chandler and Spencer Engel. His great-grandchildren are Kacey and Branson Springer. Neil was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Max and Gail Springer. A memorial service to celebrate and honor his life was held Friday, September 24, 2010 at 2 p.m. in Grand Junction, CO, at the First United Methodist Church, 522 White Ave. Memorials can be made to Paonia United Methodist Church, 303 Onarga Ave, Paonia, CO 81428, where Neil was a member for over 50 years, or the American Mosquito Control Association, 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054.