Donald "Bud" Clinton Sponsler
May 3, 1927 — May 13, 2013
Donald “Bud” Clinton Sponsler
The Perfect Pap Pap -
Donald “Bud” Clinton Sponsler, 86, of Mechanicsburg, PA , and formerly of Everett, PA , died peacefully at ManorCare Health Services in Carlisle and was surrounded by his loving family on Monday, May 13, 2013. He was born in Everett, on Tuesday, May 3, 1927, son of the late Clarence C. Sponsler and Evelyn E. (Sponsler) Sponsler. Bud was the husband of Donna Lou (Whisel) Sponsler whom he married on March 8, 1953 and who survives him.
Bud’s survivors include his four loving children, Cathy Sue Rutman and her husband Thomas of Catasauqua, PA, Donald W. Sponsler of Mechanicsburg and formerly of New York City, Dennis L. Sponsler and his wife Debra of Mechanicsburg, Christine L. Watson and her husband Jeff of Virginia; his eight grandchildren, Jessica Sponsler and her husband Arjun Sanyal and their daughter Aruna, Jennifer Sponsler, Natalie Rutman and her husband Christopher Bickert, Michael Sponsler and his wife Lara and their son Miles, Maureen Rutman, John Rutman, Nathan Watson, Katherine Watson; and his brother, Robert D. Sponsler and his wife Bessie of Mechanicsburg. Among those preceding Bud in death is his sister, Phyllis Jean Sponsler.
Bud graduated from Everett High School as part of the class of 1945. He was a US Army World War II Veteran . He retired from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission after 35 years of service having retired on January 1, 1989, after which he worked as a driver for an auto dealership in Mechanicsburg. Bud was an almost 50 year member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Mechanicsburg. He was a member of the Mechanicsburg Club and the American Legion Post #109 , and a Troup Leader for Boy Scout Troop #180 . Bud enjoyed coaching the CVGSA for more than eight years. He was honored for having voted in more than 50 consecutive elections. Bud enjoyed golf, he loved to garden and made the best barbeque chicken. Bud was always there and his family always came first.
All are welcome to join Bud’s family at his Gathering of Family & Friends on Monday, May 20, 2013, from 9:30 until time of service at 11:00 at St. Paul's United Church of Christ , 626 Williams Grove Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, with Reverend Dr. Thomas E. Herrold officiating. Honored to be urn bearers are Bud’s children: Cathy Sue Rutman, Donald W. Sponsler, Dennis L. Sponsler, and Christine L. Watson. Military honors will be presented by the Cumberland County Honor Guard . Bud’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship in Fellowship Hall at his church following the services. Cremation was private and interment will be private in Mechanicsburg Cemetery .
The family suggests memorial contributions in Bud’s name to Silver Spring Township Veteran’s Memorial Fund , 8 Flowers Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. The family sends their most heartfelt thanks to everyone at ManorCare Health Services in Carlisle who so lovingly cared for Bud.
Bud’s family has entrusted his care to Myers–Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. Read Bud’s full obituary, share your memories and photos, offer your condolences and view his memorial video and portrait at www.Myers-Buhrig.com .