Melvin Sprengeler

Melvin Sprengeler, age 81 of rural Janesville, died on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at his home, surrounded by his family. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, November 10th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church in Janesville with Fr. Peter Klein, Celebrant. Interment with military honors will be in the St. Ann Cemetery. The Sprengeler Family will greet friends on Wednesday, November 9th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Arnoldt-McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory of Janesville, and will continue on Thursday morning for one hour prior to services, at church. Melvin Walter was born April 14, 1930 in Waseca, Minnesota to Ewald and Lillian (Linde) Sprengeler. Mel entered military service in the United States Marine Corps in November of 1951. During the Korean War he was stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Seas until his honorable discharge in November of 1953. Mel was united in marriage to Joan Gardner on July 26, 1958 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Janesville. Farming was Mel's lifetime occupation, hobby and life. Since 1966 he and Joan raised their family on their Alton Township farm just south of Janesville. Mel was a longtime member of the Janesville American Legion Post #281 and a life member of the V.F.W. Sweet-Sommers Post #1642 in Waseca.  He is survived by his wife Joan; by his children Chip Crosby, John (Marie) Sprengeler, Jim (Nancy) Sprengeler all of Janesville, Mary Lau of Lakeville, Mike (Gail) Sprengeler of Faribault; by 12 grandchildren; by 4 great grandchildren; by his brother Loren Sprengeler of Janesville; by his sisters-in-law Margo Sprengeler of Bloomington, Mary (Jim) Dietz of Minneapolis, Anne (Chuck) Butler of St. Paul; by his brothers-in-law Cliff (Annette) Gardner and John (Terry) Gardner, all of Janesville. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Robert Sprengeler.  Honorary bearers are Mel's grandchildren: Jesse Anderson, Maggie Denk, Jonathan Sprengeler, Andrew Sprengeler, Dan Sprengeler, Courtney Sprengeler, Lindsey Lau, Alex Lau, Michael Lau, Betsie Sprengeler, Ethan Sprengeler, and Tom Sprengeler.