Stan Sprang

Stan Sprang born May 18th, 1954 died September 29th, 2018. Stan was the oldest of four siblings, a father to four daughters, “Grandpa Stan” to nine grandchildren and a friend to many.

Stan did things his own way from the start. At the age of 12 he ventured out on his own and began working on a dairy farm. Stan grew up in Lawton, Michigan and attended Lawton Public Schools. He was a mischievous young man who did not enjoy school but loved sports. He was a great player and not too many wanted to get in Stan’s way on the field or the court. Stan was the little guy who played football and basketball with a big heart.

As an adult his friends referred to him as “Stan the man”. He was the type of person who did things his way. He didn’t put on airs for anyone and was very stubborn. He worked hard, and played hard, too. Stan seldom had a filter when it came to expressing his opinion. The more he picked on you the more he loved you.

As a young father Stan spent time taking his girls on car rides and telling them stories about anything and everything. He took them for tractor rides, trips to Jelly bellies for snacks and wrestled with them. His girls could talk him into anything. He let them do all sorts of things that they probably should not have done like driving his truck in the fields when they were barely tall enough to see over the steering wheel, riding with the tailgate down in the back of the truck and skipping the first hour of class to watch soaps.

Stan spent his life working and he loved it. Work was his passion. It never mattered where Stan worked he worked hard at everything he did. He was never late, and he never missed a day of work. Stan seldom sat down or relaxed. He was well respected and he made it clear through his voice and actions that he was boss, even if he wasn’t the actual leader. He was precise in what he wanted and very clear about his motives. To all who knew him, it was ether Stan’s way or no way.

When he allowed himself free time it was spent working on projects around the house with his brother Russ and hunting with friends. He liked drinking Miller Lite and chewing Skoal in the barn with the company of “his boys”. He was a great storyteller and he could carry his own in any conversation. He expressed himself through humor and never ending jokes. Stan lived by the motto, “work hard, play hard”.

Stan spent 21 years married to the love of his life, Karen (Burkett) Sprang. Karen sadly passed away in 2008. While it was never easy for him, Stan carried on with his life through his work at Quality Lawn Care, the support of family and friends and Babes, his constant companion, a Jack Russell Terrier.

Never one to take medications or go to the doctor, in November of 2017, Stan was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Soon after the diagnosis Stan moved in with his daughter Sara. He put up one heck of a fight. Truly one of a kind, Stan was a little rough around the edges but he will be deeply missed and treasured in the hearts of many.

Stanley R. Sprang, age 64, of Lawton died on September 29, 2018 at his daughter’s home in Kalamazoo.

Stan was preceded in death by his wife, Karen in 2008 and by his parents Robert and Barbara (Wyman) Sprang. Surviving are four daughters: Carrie (Jack) McCall, Katie Webb, Kelly (Anthony) Reinartz and Sara Sprang; nine grandchildren: Jacob, Brent, Jessica, Wyatt, Eden, Matthew, Aiden, Ella and Ava; siblings: Elizabeth Sprang, Russel Sprang, Jane (Tim) Driscoll; nieces and nephews: David (Kelsey) Driscoll, Matthew (Sierra) Driscoll and Maryjane (Brandon) Coville.

Cremation will take place. Services will be held Thursday 2PM at the Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Home, 60900 M-40, Paw Paw (269) 657-3870 with visitation beginning at 1PM. Burial will take place at Harwick Cemetery. Please visit Stan’s personal web page at www.betzlerfuneralhome.com, where you can read his story, archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to West Michigan Cancer Center.