Otto Sponsler

Otto A. Sponsler Sr., 90, of Colonial Heights, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 31, 2011. He was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania and raised by his grandparents in Petersburg, Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of the class of 1940 from Altoona Area High School. He was a United States Navy (Seabee) Veteran of World War II and also served four years in the Marine Reserve. He retired after thirty-eight years in the transportation industry. Otto was a long standing member of the Colonial Heights Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and was on the Board of Trustees. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruby; a daughter, Joy Oleyar; his parents; a sister; and two brothers. He is survived by his present wife, Joyce; daughters, Judy Groves and husband, Thomas of Colonial Heights, Jody Isernhagen and husband, Dennis of Crete, Nebraska; sons, Otto A. Sponsler Jr. and wife, Nancy of Louisville, Kentucky, and Jeffery Sponsler, of Colonial Heights; son-in-law, James Oleyar of Prince George; step-son, Chris Patterson of Colonial Heights; twelve grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2011 in the Colonial Heights Baptist Church, 17001 Jefferson Davis Highway, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834, with Reverend Mike Osborne officiating. Interment to follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Chester. The family will receive friends Thursday, June 2, 2011 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Colonial Heights Baptist Church Building Fund or your favorite charity.