Betty Sprunger Obituary

Betty Ann Sprunger was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on August 11, 1928, the only child of Safara and Magdalene Shanebeck. She died peacefully at the age of 96 in her apartment while receiving hospice care at Swiss Village in Berne, Indiana on Sunday, June 29, 2025.

Betty grew up in Ft. Wayne, graduated from South Side High School and attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. She married Merlin Stucky of Berne, Indiana on August 19, 1950 and together they raised their two children, Kent and Kay, in Berne. Following Merlin’s early death at age 49 on July 6, 1975, she married Dan Deaton of Portland, Indiana on September 10, 1977 and became the step-mother of his adult daughter Janice. After Dan’s passing on May 6, 1978, Betty married Don Sprunger of Monroe, Indiana on November 2, 1986 and welcomed his adult children Tom and Sherri into her family. She and Don spent 34 years together before his death on November 2, 2020.

Betty was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother, as well as a caring daughter for her aging parents and a good friend to many throughout her lifetime. In addition to being a homemaker she was employed outside the home at Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Co., Berne Lumber, Richard's Jewelry Store, First Mennonite Church, and Faith & Life Bookstore in Berne. She loved and was interested in each member of her growing family throughout her life.

At a young age Betty accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She was baptized into membership at the First Missionary Church in Ft. Wayne and later was a member of the First Mennonite Church in Berne for more than 70 years. Betty was dedicated to following Christ, praying and reading her Bible, and participating in church throughout her life.

She enjoyed traveling both in the United States and overseas. Many of her trips including those to Colombia, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Jerusalem involved visiting family and friends, often missionaries. Betty remained physically active throughout her life. Biking was enjoyable for her and she spent her 80th birthday riding a bike for 15 miles along Lake Michigan in Chicago. She lived in her own home until this past August when she moved to Swiss Village.

Betty is survived by her children and step children: Kent (Linda) Stucky of Airdrie, Alberta, Canada, Kay (Terry) Sheets of Decatur, IN, Thomas (Melinda) Sprunger of Monroe, IN, Sherri (Marvin) Stutzman of Indianapolis, IN, Janice Miller of Portland, IN; grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Michala (Brian) Roberts of Goshen, IN, Jacob (Becca) Stucky of Airdrie, Alberta, Canada, Jess (Brandon) Hill of Geneva, IN, Jen (Joe) Meyer of Poneto, IN, Jamie Sheets of Decatur, IN Holly (Alan) Quandt of Maryville, TN, Seth Sprunger of Monroe, IN, Shelby Stutzman of Kirksville, MO, and Carson Stutzman of Indianapolis, IN; great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren: Kaylin Grose, Baylie Richard, Nevaeh Kemper, Trinity Roberts, Brycen Eaton, Reese Stucky, Zachary Stucky, Avery Hill, Bracey Hill, Calah Hill, Griffin Hill, Haden Meyer, Colby Meyer, Will Sheets, Skye Sheets, Madison Smith, Dinah Quandt, and Rhett Burtsfield; and great-great-grandchildren: Adelina Luna, Ariella Luna.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Swiss Village Chapel in Berne, Indiana, with Pastor Jim Schwartz officiating. Burial will follow at the M.R.E. Cemetery in Berne, Indiana.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Preferred memorials can be given to Mennonite Mission of Colombia or Agape Respite Care of Berne.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel of Berne, Indiana