Melville Sprunger

Melville “Mel” Duane Sprunger, 82, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in his Phoenix, Arizona apartment. He was born Dec. 20, 1940, in Berne to Lowell and Nellie (Jones) Sprunger. He was married Jan. 5, 1971, to his Thai sweetheart, Buakao Booma S. Rodmong. They had no children.
He grew up at the corner of Water and Sprunger streets in the center of town with his brothers, Powell and Michael and sister, Nancy. He will be remembered for his exceptional talent in all his endeavors, from sports and visual arts to piano and cornet playing. In high school, he was awarded many medals for outstanding solo performances. Also in high school, he and his cousin Agnes Sprunger performed a brilliant piano duet of Gershwin’s fast-paced “American in Paris,” which brought a spellbound audience to its feet.
He was a member of First Mennonite Church. He graduated from Berne-French High School in 1958 and was employed at Berco. Following studies at Indiana University, he served in the U.S. Army in Thailand — two years active duty from 1963-1965 and inactive four more years. He worked in Thailand and Malaysia for Gulf Oil, Collins Radio and S.E.A. Helicopters until 1975. Returning to America after 1975, he worked as a maintenance clerk for Air Services International in Scottsdale, Arizona until his retirement in July 2004.  
He was very talented. He was a gifted landscape artist painting with oils. His hobbies included writing songs and short stories and reading history.
His frequent sense of humor should also be mentioned. When his niece Cherie showed him her Mexican jumping beans, the beans didn’t move. He looked at Cherie and with quick wit explained, “They’re shy.  They don’t know me!”
He is survived by his brother, Michael (Sandy) Sprunger of Oak City, Utah; two nephews, Thomas Sprunger; and Rene Sprunger; niece, Cherie Sprunger’ and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife on Oct. 20, 2012; brother, Powell; and sister, Nancy.
He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.