Obituary of Robert Sprankle, 77

Robert Barnes Sprankle, 77, of Boalsburg, passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at his residence.

Born on November 2, 1935 in Bellefonte, he is a son of the late Homer and Beulah (Shawley) Sprankle.

In 1962 at the Milesburg Presbyterian Church, he was married to Marcelline (Sheckler) Sprankle who survives at home.

Bob was a 1953 graduate of the Bellefonte Area High School.

Upon his high school graduation, he joined the United States Air Force. During his time in the service, he worked in the Security Services while stationed in Germany until 1958 when he was discharged as an Airman 1st class.

In the same year, he enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi as an English major. Graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, he then took a position as a Writer at Gannett-Fleming-Cordory-Carpenter in Harrisburg. In 1962, Mr. Sprankle and his wife moved to Centre County, where he accepted a position at Penn State University in the College of Architectural Engineering. He later served and retired as a Coordinator of Continuing Education in that same department.

Bob and his wife retired in the Colyer Lake area where they both fostered starving and abused horses.

For several years, through his love of community and patriotism, Bob established the Colyer 4th of July Parade and Picnic. The parade and celebration still survives today, along with the esteemed Colyer Courier (a local tongue in cheek publication–second to none), where he served as the Editor in Chief.

Mr. Sprankle was a member of the Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Tusseyville. In the past, he held memberships in the Elks, American Legion Post 779, VFW Post 9575, and the Potter Township Planning Commission.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Georgia Freeman (Harold) of Centre Hall, Heidi Peltzer (Eric) of Mons, Belgium, and Jessica Slobozien (Jan) of Lexington Park, Maryland; one sister, Sally Medlar (Charles) of Lancaster; eleven grandchildren; two step brothers, Marlin and Sam Dunlap and two step sisters, Marjie Lyons and Barbara Webster.

Memorial Services will be held from the Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Tusseyville Road, Centre Hall beginning at 1:30 PM on Saturday, January 26, 2013 with Revs. Michael Smith and Russell Sauerwein officiating. The family will receive friends for a time of fellowship immediately following the Memorial Services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Emmanuel United Church of Christ, 3344 Penns Valley Pike, Spring Mills, PA 16875 or to Centre Home Care – Hospice Division, 2437 Commercial Blvd., Suite 6, State College, PA 16801.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Centre Hall.

A guestbook can be signed and condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.