Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
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Elizabeth Sprang

April 14, 1956 - March 9, 2021
Lawton, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, March 11, 2021
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Paw Paw Location
60900 Michigan 40
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3870
Driving Directions

Service

Friday, March 12, 2021
10:00 AM EST
Live Stream
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Paw Paw Location
60900 Michigan 40
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-3870

Following the service, burial will be completed at Maple Grove Cemetery. A reception with food and refreshments will then be hosted at the funeral home.

Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22478
Oklahoma City, OK 73123
(800) 227-2345
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Print

Humble, generous, and kind, Elizabeth Sprang lived a life rich in family and friends. Liz lived a heart-centered life, welcoming each day as a gift, every person as a friend, and never hesitating to lend a hand to others. A friend to many, Liz was a safe place for others to simply be. A hard worker, Liz gave her all in every endeavor, and she reflected the goodness in others and life. A devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, Liz was a gift for all who were blessed to know her.

1956 proved a year of vibrant growth for the United States. More families owned an automobile than ever before and new laws were created to require seat belts to be installed on all new cars. McDonald’s, TV dinners, cans of Coca-Cola, Lego, Velcro, and The Mickey Mouse Club all became household mainstays, while Rock and Roll music continued to grow in popularity with such idols as Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and the Comets, and Chuck Berry. In Paw Paw, Michigan, this time of peace and plenty grew even brighter as Robert and Barbara (Wyman) Sprang welcomed their daughter Elizabeth on April 14.

Growing up in rural West Michigan during the 50s and 60s, Liz’s childhood was filled with family and time outdoors. While her father worked as a contractor for Wickes Lumber Company, her mother dedicated herself to being a homemaker. From a very early age, Lizzy loved being outdoors. Hours and hours were spent on her bicycle and playing with her sister, Jane, her first and longest best friend. Even as a youngster, Liz liked things to be tidy. She was well known in her family for getting after her siblings to straighten up their belongings. During her teens, Liz continued to grow her love of the outdoors. She also played clarinet in the high school band and enjoyed traveling to Washington, D.C. with her Senior class.

After proudly graduating from Lawton High School with the class of 1975, Elizabeth put her strong work ethic to good use at several local factories, eventually finding her work-home at Western Diversified Plastics. There, she enjoyed a successful career that spanned over 20 years. Not only was her skill set as a machine operator and parts inspector valuable, but her steadfast reliability was also legendary and virtually unmatched. She won many awards for her outstanding attendance over the years.

With a keen eye for detail and great pride, Liz passionately worked on tending to and constantly improving her homes. She thoroughly enjoyed landscaping, especially at her home in Baldwin, where she often found sanctuary on the weekend. Liz found her bliss working outdoors. Whether tending to the lawn, planting new treasures, raking leaves, or working with rock and stone, she loved every minute spent outdoors.

During her leisure time, Liz could be found casting a fishing line at various watering holes or watching her favorite soap operas. She took in a Tigers game at the ballpark when she could and also enjoyed sketching her favorite characters like the Grinch. Her favorite way to spend her time was with her loved ones. Though she had no kids of her own, she shared close, special relationships with her nieces and nephews. She and her niece, Maryjane, were especially close as they were like-minded, kindred spirits who shared a similar way with the world and work ethic. When Maryjane turned 8-years-old, Liz dressed up as a clown for her birthday party. She also dressed up as Santa Claus for all of her nieces and nephews when they were little. She relished in her role as Aunt Liz!

Liz proved a powerful role model for her family and friends. Thrifty by nature, she saw value where others might not. She was creative and resourceful and enjoyed figuring out how to fix, repurpose, and improve things. She respected the value of saving and loved finding unexpected treasures, especially money! No amount was too small. Every coin, even a simple penny, was joyfully picked up and safely stored in one of her dozen piggy banks.

A wonderful person to be around, Liz was always good company. Even in the face of her own pain and suffering, she strove to lessen the hardships others faced. Enveloped in the comforts of her sister’s home, Liz died after sharing precious final moments with her family.

While it is difficult to imagine life in the absence of Elizabeth’s steadfast spirit, may we find comfort in knowing she is free from pain. May we also find comfort in our treasured memories and in carrying her loving legacy forward. In each moment we pocket a found penny, cast our line, confidently face a challenge, tend to our homes, give of our time and talents, or inspire a smile with a little clowning around, we celebrate the many ways Liz gifted our lives. In this way, we keep her spirit alive and inspiring others as she so inspired us.

Elizabeth Sprang, of Lawton, age 64, was called home on March 9, 2021. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Stanley Sprang. Proudly carrying her legacy forward are her siblings: Russell Sprang and Jane (Tim) Driscoll; nieces and nephews: David (Kelsey) Driscoll, Matthew (Sierra) Driscoll, Maryjane Coville, Carrie (Jack) McCall, Katie Webb, Kelly (Anthony) Reinartz, and Sara Sprang. A Life Story gathering for friends and family will take place 5-7 PM Thursday (MAR 11) at Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Home, 60900 M-40 Hwy, Paw Paw, (269) 657-3870. A Life Story funeral will be held 10 AM on Friday (MAR 12), with burial at Maple Grove Cemetery. A reception with food and refreshments will take place after the burial. Visit Elizabeth’s personal webpage at www.BetzlerLifeStory.com, where you may read her Life Story, archive a favorite memory or photo, and sign her online guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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