Elmo J. Springer

1927 - 2025

Elmo J. Springer

July 27, 1927 - May 27, 2025

STANFORD - Elmo J. Springer, 97, formerly of Stanford, passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at Hopedale Nursing Home.

He was born July 27, 1927 in Hopedale to Alvin and Emma Kauffmann Springer. He married Irene Litwiller on October 11, 1952 in Hopedale, and she passed away February 23, 2007.

Surviving are three sons, Jeff (Lisa) Springer of Minier, Tom ( Maureen) Springer of Delavan, and Mitch (Carol) Springer of Danvers; two daughters, Sue (Steve) Turskey of Orrville, OH and Marge (Dave) Gingerich of Goshen, IN; 17 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one brother, Dick (Nancy) Springer of Delavan; five sisters-in-law, Louise Springer of Delavan, Loretta (Ed) Slaubaugh of Loogootee, IN, Bev Litwiller of Hopedale, Dorothy Klassen of Pekin, and Dorthea Litwiller of Goshen, IN; one brother-in-law, Al (Marilyn) Litwiller of Paxton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Mahlon, Orval, Marvin, Paul, Carrol; three sisters, Kay Burmeister, Verna Shoemaker, and Ethel Sommer; and one son-in-law, Dennis Hostetler.

Elmo was a 1945 graduate of Delavan High School. Elmo would have given credit to his parents for encouraging him to pursue his passions: agriculture and sports. During his school years he showed Tamworth hogs in 4-H, won the FFA State Farmer award, and played basketball. During young adulthood, he remained involved with earlier interests by serving as a 4-H leader and playing basketball with the Hopedale Stags, an independent basketball team.

Elmo was drafted into the Korean War but chose to live out his faith by serving as a Conscientious Objector. As a C.O., he and Irene served as orderlies in Elgin State Hospital for two years. This was a formative experience which became foundational for the rest of his life.

Elmo and Irene made a farming life they loved in the Stanford-Minier area. In 1980 he was recognized with the Master Farmer award by Prairie Farmer Magazine. When he was old enough to retire, he did so willingly and quickly began a second career as a landscaper.

Elmo was a man of faith and was a member of the Hopedale Mennonite Church, where he served as Sunday school teacher and numerous leadership positions including a year of being the Pastoral Elder when the church lacked a pastor. Along with others in the church, he and Irene worked at planting several new churches in central Illinois.

Elmo was an active community member, serving as president of BroMenn Hospital Board and as a director of First Farmer's State Back on Minier. He was a member of Gideon's International.

Elmo and Irene lived by the Golden Rule in their home, which transferred to their many relationships with neighbors and friends whom they loved and cherished. The family would like to thank the staff of HMC for all their care and kindness given during Dad's stay there.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, June 2, 2025 at Mennonite Cemetery in Hopedale followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at Hopedale Mennonite Church. Kurt Walker and Frank Brozenec will officiate. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Hopedale Mennonite Church. Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Tremont is handling the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Hopedale Mennonite Church.