Sue Etta Spangler

Sue Etta Spangler, 90 of Lebanon, formerly of South Bend went to be with her Lord on August 16, 2025. She was at home with her loving family by her side. She was born on June 11, 1935, in Elkhart to the late Charles and Margaret (Weiss) Clark.

Sue met the love of her life Joseph Spangler, and they were married on December 5, 1970, until his death in 1993. She was also preceded in death by her sister Mary Gaugler and 2 brothers, Peter Clark and Larry Clark.

She is survived by her sisters Margaret Umbaugh and Barbara Schumacher, sister-in-Law Sue Clark and countless nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Growing up in Elkhart, attending Jimtown School with her 5 siblings, her love of singing and the arts were an early passion. She enjoyed her time in the chorus and was often heard singing around the family farm. She loved her homestead but was drawn to California where she spent the next several years, soaking up the sunshine that rose above the mountains and ocean.

Although she was not blessed with children of her own, her maternal love radiated and surrounded her nieces and nephews like a warm blanket. Not one for dealing with unpleasant situations, she often used her humor and unique vocabulary to find the positive and make the situation more bearable. It sounds like a cliche’ to say that heaven gained an angel, but Sue truly was an angel. She had a strong faith, always had a kind word for everyone and treated every moment as a gift from God, as that is what she believed it to be. She loved a good meal and conversation around the table and appreciated the smallest of details, often describing them as ‘marvey’. If someone was ailing, she would sit with them for hours, just holding their hand and praying over them. She had compassion beyond words which she showered on others as a Minister for the Spiritual of Worship Church.

Sue wrote the most heartfelt messages on the cards she sent, always dotting the ‘I’ with a heart or a star and had the best belly laugh. Like everything about her, the words and laughter were genuine. She had a rich, full life filled with experiences and if you were ever lucky enough to hear one of her stories, you wouldn’t soon forget the joy and enthusiasm in her delivery. She had a memory for details and included all of them in each story she told, carefully painting a picture so vivid you felt like you were there. She was patient beyond words and did not like to rush or be rushed. She thought time was a thief and she did not want to be robbed of one single moment. She chose, instead, to stop and smell each rose. She cherished every gift, every card, note and letter she received and kept them nearby. She loved being surrounded by the things that made her feel close to her loved ones and reminded her of the time she spent with them. No one’s birthday passed without an early morning, custom rendition of Happy Birthday sang to them. Green and purple were her favorite colors and the bling she wore, like her own light, was brilliant but never too flashy. She will be greatly missed. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it - Psalm 118.24

Cremation has taken place with a time to celebrate a wonderful and beautiful life scheduled for Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 10 am to 12 Noon, with a service to follow at Cruz Family Funeral Home, Osceola. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to charity of the donor’s choice, or Sue's Church, Spiritual Fellowship Awareness, Lombard, IL. 

To light a virtual candle, share a story of Sue’s life, or extend a message of comfort to her family, please visit the Guestbook.