Alice M. Sprunger

Alice Mae Sprunger, 98, of Berne, Indiana, passed away on February 9, 2025, at Swiss Village. Born on May 13, 1926, she was the daughter of Leon and Hilda Neuenschwander. She married Merlin K. Sprunger on September 9, 1950, and he preceded her in death on October 19, 2016.

Alice grew up on a farm southeast of Berne and graduated from Geneva High School in 1944. She was always interested in local events, people, and history and enjoyed being a homemaker. Early on, Alice worked at Dunbar Furniture as an office assistant and later in foodservice at Swiss Village throughout the 1970’s.

Alice was a member of the First Mennonite Church and was active in many activities over the years. These included Women In Mission, Chancel Choir, Sunday school, the migrant daycare program, and the MCC trainee program. During the 1970’s – 80’s, Alice co-managed (with Eula Sprunger, Kate Fireoved, and Janean Moser) the Et Cetera Ecke Gift and Thrift Shop in Berne. Alice enjoyed being a part of this endeavor, working with community volunteers and attending the training conferences and retreats offered by MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) in Akron, Pennsylvania. Alice continued to volunteer at the Et Cetera Ecke throughout the 1990’s.

Alice was a good cook and enjoyed quilting, cross-stitching, making jigsaw puzzles, and playing a competitive game of Scrabble or Rook. Most of all, she loved being with her family and always looked forward to their visits and holiday gatherings. She was especially close to her grandson and was a wonderful grandmother.

Alice is survived by her daughters: Joanne Sprunger of Seattle, Washington; Jennifer Sprunger of Lafayette, Indiana; Ellen Sprunger of Indianapolis, Indiana; and grandson, Christopher (Sarah) Sprunger of Glendale, California. Alice is also survived by one sister, Louise (Robert) Miller of Berne. 

In addition to her husband and parents, Alice was preceded in death by sisters, Ruth (Harvey) Lehman and Arveda (Robert) Moser, brothers, Edward (Anna Marie), Weldon (Rufine), and Paul (Alda) Neuenschwander, and infant siblings, Lucille and Robert.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 22, 2025, with visitation from 9:30–10:30 AM in the Swiss Village auditorium. Officiating is Rev. Jim Schwartz and Marie Nussbaum. Burial is following the service at the M.R.E. Cemetery in Berne, Indiana.

Preferred memorials are for the Mennonite Central Committee, the First Mennonite Church, and/or the Swiss Village Samaritan Fund.

 Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel of Berne, Indiana