Kevin H. Springman

1951 - 2025

Kevin H. Springman
Born: May 10, 1951
Died: March 6, 2025
Kevin H. Springman, 73 of Sterling, passed away on March 6, 2025 at Ascension Saint Alexius Hospital in Hoffman Estates, resulting from complications of an extended battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Kevin was born May 10, 1951 in Sterling, Illinois. He was the son of Herbert R. and Fay E. (Freeman) Springman of Coleta. Kevin was raised 1 mile south of Coleta on his family's farm and attended Coleta grade school until 8th grade, before attending Sterling High School. Kevin always cherished the friendships and memories made from his time at Coleta grade school, including the sports rivalries with the other rural grade schools, many of those friendships made lasted throughout his life. Kevin was a member of the Sterling High School Class of 1969, while at SHS Kevin excelled at wrestling and always felt fortunate to have been coached and taught by Carson DeJarnett. After high school Kevin attended Sauk Valley Community College and worked various jobs, during that time he dated and then married his wife Debbie in September of 1978.
Kevin continued to both work and operate his family farm, then in May of 1981, Kevin and Debbie took over an existing rental store location on Locust Street in Sterling, they added the John Deere franchise to that business, and began operating as Wilco Rental. As the business grew, Kevin eventually gave up farming to focus solely on Wilco, and that became the place he could usually be found 6 days a week for nearly the next 40 years, until disease forced him to step away from work, though many days he was still present and all too happy to talk with customers.
Kevin loved the Sauk Valley area and its people, and he was very proud of the place he had always called home. Having a local business where he could assist people and interact with them on a daily basis suited him, and he always enjoyed going to work and being an active member of the business community. Like in childhood at school, the relationships that were cultivated in adulthood at work helped define Kevin's life; none more so than those with his dedicated co-workers at Wilco Rental who became his family, you know who you are and hopefully you know how much Kevin loved you. He considered those relationships with family, friends and customers some of the greatest gifts of his life, and he would want all those people to know just how much they meant to him.
Kevin was always a social person and enjoyed golfing, playing cards, hunting, fishing, skiing, yardwork and being on the beach, usually most of those with a drink in his hand. He genuinely loved talking to people, whether it be a life-long friend or a complete stranger, it didn't really matter, he had the "gift of gab" and it served him well for most of his life.
Kevin was also an avid sports fan, especially loyal to the Chicago Bears and the Chicago White Sox, but he enjoyed sports of all kinds, including following local sports at SHS. Along with being a fan, Kevin also played many sports throughout his childhood and into adulthood, particularly fast pitch softball and bowling. Bowling encompassed much of his adult life, most often in Morrison and Sterling, and he competed on many teams and in various tournaments over the years. But some of Kevin's most fond memories were of playing softball all over northern Illinois, in Missouri, Nevada, California and New Mexico. Of particular pride was when his Morrison Merchants fast pitch team placed 4th in 1989 at the ASA Class B Fast Pitch National Championship in Sacramento, California. Much later in life, softball brought Kevin joy again, when he got to watch both his granddaughters play the sport he loved so much.
Kevin was devoted to his family, he was always willing to help, no matter the task and always enjoyed getting together. He remained that way up until the time he no longer could. Kevin's granddaughters became the "apples of his eye" and after they were born he usually had a camera in hand, just in case a baby photo opportunity presented itself. He was very proud of them and took great joy in watching them grow.
Survivors include his wife Deborah (Williams) Springman, son Jason Springman of Sterling, sisters Shirlene (Dick) Eatinger of Glendale, Arizona, and Joyce (Harley) Erdmann of Sterling, a brother Glen (Dee) Springman of Rock Falls, and two granddaughters Grace and Ella Springman both of Sterling, and numerous nieces and nephews that he was very close with.
Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Kent Springman.
There will be a gathering of friends and family to celebrate Kevin's life at McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls on Saturday March 29, 2025 from 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM. Anyone who would like to stop and remember Kevin are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any donations be made to the CGH Health Foundation Dementia Project, as it is an important local resource to help families cope with this devastating disease.