Annette "Sue" Sprunger helped establish Bluffton Community Daycare
Annette "Sue" Sprunger, 86, passed into the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus, on February 23, 2025. Sue was born May 6, 1938 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana to the late Paul and Opal (Wasson) Berlien who preceded her in death. On August 26, 1961 she married Ben Sprunger and he survives.
A woman of deep faith, Sue dedicated her life to her family, church, and community. She was a faithful wife, loyal helper and mother with distinction.
Her career in education spanned many years, serving at the Worthington School Board office and as a secretary at Worthington Estates Elementary and Worthington Hills Elementary, where she became a beloved mother and grandmother figure to countless children.
While living in Bluffton, Ohio, she was a passionate community leader, co-founding the Reaching Women Conference and helping establish the Bluffton Community Daycare. As the wife of Bluffton University President Ben Sprunger, she embraced her role with grace, welcoming students, alumni, and donors with her gift of hospitality. She also loved entertaining friends in the many places she called home, creating warm and lasting connections wherever she went.
Her children and grandchildren will forever cherish her love of nature, gardening, flowers, and birds - as well as the special pies and countless cookies she made just for them.
Survivors include her husband, Ben Sprunger of Bluffton; three children, Julie (Dave) Stratton of Bluffton, Jon (Jacki) Sprunger of Delaware, Ohio, Benjamin P. Sprunger of Atlanta, Georgia; five grandchildren, Amanda (Axel) Erickson, Sarah (Christian) Koch, Noah (Taylor) Stratton, Jakob (Alli) Sprunger, Joe Sprunger; four great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Cyril Berlien of Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Sue was preceded in death by a brother, Bruce Berlien and a son-in-law, Erik Burns.
Visitation will be Wednesday, February 26, 2025 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services - Bluffton. A Celebration of Life will begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 8, 2025 at First Mennonite Church, Berne, Indiana. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in MRE Cemetery in Berne, Indiana.
In memory of Sue, memorial gifts may be made to Global Disciples or Sarasota Community Church, Sarasota, Florida.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com/
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