Vaughn E. Sprunger of Berne, Indiana

August 25, 1928 - April 24, 2018

Rev. Vaughn E. Sprunger, D.D., 89, Berne, passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior on April 24, 2018 at Lutheran Hospital.  He was born in Bluffton, IN on August 25, 1928 to Otto F. and Lila (Lehman) Sprunger. He married Arlene (Habegger) Sprunger on November 3, 1950 in Berne.

In 1950, he graduated from Bob Jones University, from which he later received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree. He began his ministry in 1950 as assistant pastor at Temple Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Ohio. In his many years of ministry, he pastored only two churches: Berean Baptist Church in Portsmouth (Sciotoville), Ohio (1951-1963) and Community Baptist Church in South Bend, Indiana (1963-1995). Under his leadership, Community Baptist Church relocated and built a new facility which is beautifully located on 34 acres on the south side of South Bend. He also led the church in the building of an attractive school facility and in the establishment of Community Baptist Christian School with an enrollment of nearly 300 students in kindergarten through grade 12.  After 32 years as pastor of the church, he resigned but continued to be active as interim pastor, pulpit supply, and conference speaker. In 2000, he and his wife moved to Swiss Village in Berne, where they now attend Grace Bible Church. For over 25 years he served on the executive board Evangelical Baptist Mission. He also served on the advisory board of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (A.B.W.E.). His godly life and faithful ministry along with his wife Arlene have had a profound influence not only on his family but also on a countless number of believers who are faithfully serving the Lord in local churches, Christian schools and colleges, Christian camps, and mission fields around the world.

He is survived by his wife Arlene, a daughter Sandra (Rev. Craig) Pendl of Knox, IN and a son Dr. Douglas (Gina) Sprunger of Greenville, SC. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Jana (Jay) Gephart, Joel (Cindy) Pendl, Evan Pendl, Katie (Chris) Beckett, and Zachary (Kate) Sprunger; seven great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers: Orison, Frederick, Adrian, and Curtis Sprunger.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 28, at 11:00 am at the Grace Bible Church in Berne. Visitation will be at the Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home from 4 to 8 pm on Friday, April 27, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Officiating are Pastor Jeff Gaskill, Pastor Craig Pendl, and Dr. Doug Sprunger. Burial is in the MRE Cemetery, Berne.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Baptist Church in South Bend, IN &/or to Swiss Village Samaritan Fund.

You may sign the guest book at www.yagerkirchhofer.com