David Ernst Sponsel

David Ernst (Dave) Sponsel, 84, of Indianapolis, IN died Saturday, August 13 at a place he loved, the family’s cabin on Bay Lake, in Deerwood, MN.  He was born January 29, 1938 to Robert and Gertrude Sponsel (White) in Indianapolis, IN.

While attending Southport High School in Indianapolis, IN he met his future wife and the mother of his five children, Roberta Jean (Bobbie) Sponsel (Allen).  They graduated together in 1956 and married in 1957.  Dave and Bobbie enjoyed a wonderful loving marriage for 64 years before Bobbie passed in 2021.

After graduating high school, Dave began working for JI Case, the tractor company.  His first job was as a parts picker in the Case warehouse in Indianapolis, IN.  When that facility closed in 1962 Dave was offered a position at the company headquarters in Racine, WI where he worked until offered his next promotion.  In 1971 Dave took over management of Case’s San Leandro, CA warehouse where he worked until 1978.  That year he was asked to come back to Racine, WI to take over the management of all of Case’s North American depot operations.  Dave retired from Case in 1996, and went on to serve four years as a senior executive for Universal Coach.

In 2000, Dave retired for good, but did not sit idle.  That year, Dave and Bobbie settled in Lenoir City, TN.  Dave, a skilled handyman throughout his life decided to use his skills to support Loudon County Habitat for Humanity.  Over the years Dave and Bobbie both pounded nails and painted walls and did whatever else needed to be done.  In addition, Dave lent his management skills as a two-time leader of the organization.

When not helping Habitat, Dave and Bobbie enjoyed square dancing.  They danced locally with the Little T’s, and also travelled around the region to enjoy the talents of skilled callers.  They talked often of their fondness for the many friends they made and people they met while dancing.

Every summer, Dave and Bobbie spent weeks at the family’s Bay Lake cabin in Minnesota.  It was the perfect place for them to gather and enjoy time with generations of family.  Many significant family events were celebrated there, including Dave and Bobbies 50th and 60th anniversaries.

Dave was a very supportive father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He never hesitated to help any family member in need.  He loved traditions and how they serve to keep family together as times change.

He is survived by his five children, daughter Sharon Louise Edmonson, and sons Timothy David, Robert Conrad III, Stephen Thomas, and Andrew Allen.  He is further survived by 11 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and brothers and sisters in-law, all of whom he loved very much.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bobbie, his brothers Robert (Bud), and Richard (Dick), and his sisters Eloise, Claris, and Barbara.  He was further preceded by his sister in-law Louise Moore and his brother in-law Thomas Allen.

Dave’s remains were cremated through the services of the Koop funeral home in Crosby, MN.  A funeral mass will be held at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Indianapolis, IN on Friday, August 26, 2022 at 10:00am.  The funeral will be live streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmVNyzNA8BrSSpFU-uNLng/live

An internment ceremony will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN on Saturday August 27, 2022 at 10:00am where he will be joined with his late wife, Bobbie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Loudon County Habitat for Humanity, 238 Hwy 70 West, Lenoir City, TN   37771