Ivan William Spraitzar

Ivan W "Bill" Spraitzar, 95, of Chatham Township, New Jersey died on October 15, 2012 in Crofton, Maryland in the loving presence of his family members. He was born on March 11, 1917 in Warren, Ohio a son of the late John Ivan and Veronica Pirsil Spraitzar, and was a resident both of Warren, Ohio and Chatham, New Jersey. A 1935 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, he completed an industrial engineering degree from Ohio State University in 1941 with an ROTC commission in the US Army Reserves. While serving on active duty during World War II, Mr. Spraitzar was first assigned to the newly constructed Pentagon, and later to the Pacific theater of operations on General MacArthur's Anti-Aircraft Defense Staff. He was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army Reserves in 1967. Mr Spraitzar began his civilian work after World War II with Wean Engineering Corp. in Warren, but relocated to New Jersey in 1952 to become their District Sales Manager. In 1960, together with four engineering colleagues, he formed Stamco Sales, Inc., which was headquartered in Cleveland, and specialized in metal strip processing equipment. After 33 years of extensive travel, he ventured on his own to form Strip Processing Consultants with headquarters in New Jersey, and retired at the age of 85. He is preceded in death by his siblings Frank, Clarence, and Elizabeth. Survivors include his wife, Drusilla Spraitzar of Basking Ridge, New Jersey; three sons Stephen Scott, William Stanford, and Curtis Leslie; four grandchildren Sarah Ruth, Rebekah Joy, Michael Ivan, and Rachel Anne; and great-granddaughter Elisabeth Lane. His family remembers him for his generosity and boundless energy through passionate support for the education of his children and grandchildren, and his tireless involvement in civic organizations, the sport of golf, and politics at the State and local levels. As late as age 91, Mr Spraitzar could still be found on the practice green at his favorite country club to perfect his noteworthy swing, which he began developing from age 12 while caddying at golf courses in Trumbull County and used to win the club championship at the Trumbull Country Club in 1941. The funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11am at the Lane Family Funeral Homes, Roberts-Clark Chapel in Warren. Burial will be at the Oakwood Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Ohio National Guard. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Mr. Spraitzar to Gideons International at www.gideons.org. To send condolences to the family or to view the obituary go to www.robertsclarkchapel.com