John O. Spreng Jr.

John O. Spreng Jr., 68, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, January 14, 2017. He was born in Bucyrus, Ohio to the late John O. Spreng Sr. and Janet L. (Kiess) Spreng on May 15, 1948. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Suzann (Reece) Spreng. He is also survived by daughter, Anne Cole, her husband Joe and their son, Will Spreng Cole, a brother Jim and his wife Valerie (Semel) Spreng of Bucyrus, brother-in-law and sister-in-law David and Carol (Davis) Reece of Mt. Victory and many close cousins and life-long friends.



A life-long resident of Crawford County, John farmed and operated a multi-generation dairy farm. He was a graduate of Colonel Crawford High School and was active in sports and FFA while in school. John was a recipient of the Ohio Farmer Degree and the American Farmer Degree. He received an Associate’s Degree in Dairy Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1968. He also served in the Ohio National Guard.



John was very active in agricultural activities. He was a 4-H advisor for 20 years, President of the Crawford County Fair Board for 23 years and served on the board 33 years. He served as President of the Ohio Holstein Association and judged cattle all over the state.



His passion for the Ohio State Fair led him to being involved for 54 years. Exhibiting since 1962, he also served as the Superintendent of the Dairy Department for 9 years and on the Ohio Expositions Commission for 7 years. Presently, he has been serving as the Assistant Agricultural Director of the Ohio State Fair. John was inducted into the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame in 2016.



John also dedicated his life to influencing youth and supporting Colonel Crawford Basketball. He was very active in the Colonel Crawford girls’ basketball program for the last 26 years. He was currently honored to serve as the Assistant girls’ Varsity basketball coach.



John was buried in a private service in Oakwood Cemetery in Bucyrus on January 17th. There will be a Celebration of Life Service followed by a meal with the family at the Bucyrus Nazarene Church on Sunday January 29th at 2:00 and all are invited to attend to celebrate John’s life.



In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made payable to the Colonel Crawford Foundation or the Ohio Holstein Junior Association and given through Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, 44820. Memories are encouraged to be shared on his Tribute Wall.