John E. Springman

John Edward Springman, Sr. died unexpectedly February 16, 2013 in the Critical Care Unit at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana after a hard fought battle with lung disease. He was born to Jessie Louise and Dayton Elsworth Springman in Washington Township, Indiana on July 25, 1928.

John served his country proudly in World War II in the Navy on the U.S.S. Repose and was honorably discharged as a Machinist’s Mate 3 at the end of July, 1949. He then traveled the country on a Harley Davidson motorcycle with friends until he returned to his boyhood home in Rushville, Indiana.

He was employed by Delco-Remy, a division of General Motors, in Anderson, Indiana for 41 years until his retirement in 1993. While there, he was cited on numerous occasions for his many ideas of which were then utilized to improve production. John enjoyed motorsports and drag racing in his younger days. His love of mechanics then led to an interest in car shows and tinkering with antique cars which continued up to his final days while finishing the restoration of a 1956 Packard Clipper. He also enjoyed watching sporting events on TV, and attending his grandchildren and great grandchildren’s ballgames. He loved watching western movies. He was a member of the Knightstown American Legion Post #152 where he enjoyed daily coffee with his many buddies.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Vida Geraldine ‘Jeri’ Springman, whom he married on June 19, 1954; children, Tina C. (Philip H.) Drew of Indianapolis, John Edward (Tammy) Springman of Carthage, Deborah K. (Roberto) Buonfante of Carmel, and Jay (Joellen) Springman of Arlington; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 23, 2013 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service, Knightstown Chapel with the Reverend Curtis Hunt officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown. Friends may call from noon until 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be given to the Arthritis Foundation, Rheumatoid Arthritis, P.O. Box 96280, Washington D.C, 20077, or the Center for Autism Research, 2000 N. 14th St., Suite 480, Arlington, VA 22201. You may express a condolence or share a memory of John at www.hinsey-brown.com .