Jack L Sponseller, 90, long time resident of North Canton, OH passed away peacefully at home on April 27, 2021. Jack was born in North Canton on St. Patrick’s Day, 1931, the youngest of six children to parents Carl and Velma (Newton) Sponseller. He is preceded in death by brothers Robert, Paul, and Marvin, and sisters Maxine Ingold and Lucy Jane Crawmer. He is survived by wife Barbara to whom he was happily married for 45 years, children Renie Britenbucher, Cheryl (Glenn) Saylor, Jack (Jodi) Sponseller, Scott Cooper, Steve (Kinthea) Cooper, 10 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.
Jack was a three sport athlete at North Canton High School. He was the starting guard on the basketball team that reached the state semi-finals in 1949. Jack pitched two no hitters during his high school baseball career, and was the team captain of the 1948 football team. In addition he was voted class president his senior year.
Jack continued his education at Mount Union College in Alliance, OH where he was a three year letterman in both football and baseball. He majored in history and belonged to Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. After graduation, Jack spent a two year stint in the Army serving as a tank commander at Fort Knox, Ky.
In 1955 Jack joined his father and brothers in the family business, Sponseller and Sons Plumbing in North Canton. He served as secretary, treasurer, and president during his 35 years with the company. Later in his career he was employed by the Stark County Auditor Office.
Among his numerous civic activities and awards he served as President of both the North Canton Jaycees and Chamber of Commerce, President of the State Association of Plumbing Contractors, inducted into the Stark County Baseball Hall of Fame (1990), inducted into the North Canton Alumni Association Hall of Distinction (2002), inducted into the Hoover High School Athletic Hall of Fame (2017), served for 29 years on the Pro Football Hall of Fame Security Committee, and served as a football coach and league commissioner for North Canton Youth Football.
Above all Jack loved his family, and enjoyed visiting and playing with his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jack enjoyed his cigars and conversing with his friends at the Briarpatch cigar store. He also had many close friends in the condo development in which he lived. Jack will forever be remembered for the many friendships he made while sitting on his lawn chair in the driveway, smoking his cigar, and sharing stories, recalling history, and maybe telling a tall tale or two.
The family would like to thank Aultman Hospice for making Jack’s last days comfortable ones. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Aultman Hospice.
Private services are being arranged with Karlo-Libby Funeral Home in Canton, OH.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0