John E. Sprunger

John E. Sprunger, 88, of Kidron, passed away on Monday, January 19, 2026.

He was born in Massillon on June 5, 1937 to the late Cy and Helen (Stockham) Sprunger and on March 23, 1958, he married Janet Boss, and she survives.

John's life impacted others as he consistently placed the interests and needs of others ahead of his own – his was a life focused on community service, helping others, family, and faith. He lived by the motto of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

John was an anchor in the Kidron community he called home for all but a few short years. Following graduation from Dalton High school in 1955 and serving four years in the U.S. Coast Guard, he returned to Kidron working 14 years for Kidron Body before joining the family business as the owner and operator of Kidron Auction. John recognized Kidron Auction's importance to the community extended far beyond Thursday "sales", providing jobs and chasing down the periodic escaped cow or pig.

A highlight of his community service was reflected in his more than 55 years with the Kidron Volunteer Fire Department, serving as Chief for 45 years. His business experience found John taking on several leadership roles, including the chairman of the former Dunlap Memorial Hospital's Board of Directors and a director on the board of the former First National Bank of Orrville. John's emphasis on Kidron as a community led to his becoming Kidron's first Citizen Of The Year in 2004. He was also a licensed pilot and served as the president of the Wayne County Airport Authority.

John and his wife, Janet, built their faith among family and friends as members of Salem Mennonite Church, where John sang in the choir and was active in various church leadership roles. Even more, family and faith led to more than annual summertime celebrations, typically tied to the Fourth of July, at Lakeside Chataqua in Marblehead, OH. John and Janet enjoyed traveling, including several winter trips to Sarasota, Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, Switzerland, and the Maritimes.

In addition to his wife, Janet, he is survived by children, Jedd (Nanette) Sprunger of Kidron, Janell (Mark) Greenwood of Chicago, IL, and Janeen Sprunger of Sidney; grandchildren, Grant, Ryan (Colleen), Clay (Staci) and Aubree (Kaleb); great grandchildren, Haydn, Landon, Easton, and Ellie; step granddaughter, Lauren (Patrick); step-great granddaughter, Katherine; siblings, Fritz (Ellen) Sprunger of Orrville and Donna Demian of New York.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Kidron Mennonite Church, 3987 Kidron Road, Kidron, OH 44636, with Pastor Kevin Himes officiating. Friends may call on Friday from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm at Kidron Mennonite Church, the family will not be in attendance for calling hours. A private family burial at Salem Mennonite Church at 3363 Zuercher Rd., Dalton, OH 44618 will follow.

The memorial service will be live streamed through kidronmennonite.com. Those interested should follow the "Livestream Services" button on the church's website.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Ohio's Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, OH 44691; or Wayne County Fire and Rescue Training Facility, 2725 S. Millborne Road, Apple Creek, OH 44606; or, Salem Mennonite Church, P.O. Box 7, Kidron, OH 44636.