Hermann B. "Herm" Spranger

Hermann B. "Herm" Spranger Springfield Hermann B. "Herm" Spranger, 82, of Springfield, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. Herm was born August 21, 1925 in Lorsbach, Germany the son of Richard and Sophie (Winkler) Spranger. He came to America in 1938 with his mother and two brothers and settled in Centreville with his two sisters until 1943. Herm graduated from Centreville High School and attended Elkhart University. He entered the U.S. Navy during World War II and was discharged in 1946 as Boatsman's Mate Second Class. Herm was formerly of Hoboken, New Jersey, Portland, Indiana and moved to Battle Creek in 1962. He was director of the Laboratory at the former American Legion Hospital from 1962-1971. Herm retired from the VA Medical Center in 1990 as a Laboratory Technician. Herm was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and the German American Club of Kalamazoo. He was Master of Ceremony for the German Memorial Day service in 1978 which is held at Ft. Custer Cemetery in November of every year. He is survived by his wife the former, Janet A. "Jan" Nusbaum, whom he married on December 27, 1958 in Centreville; sons, Chip (Mandy) Spranger of Battle Creek and Martin Spranger of Mesa, Arizona; daughters, Erika Spranger of Atlanta, GA, and Lisa (John) Adamson of Battle Creek; four grandsons; and two granddaughters. He was preceded in death by brothers Richard, Ginther and Walter Spranger, and sisters Erna Spencer, Clara Reynolds and Gertrude Guckes of Germany. At the request of the family, friends may call at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home after 2 p.m. Sunday, where they will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services to celebrate Herm's life will be held 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 21, 2008 at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Gary Siefert officiating, followed by Military Honors at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorials to the VA Medical Center Dementia Unit or St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Choir Fund or the Marian E. Burch Adult Day Care would be appreciated by the family. To leave a message for the family, visit www.farleyestesdowdle.com