Frederick O. Spahn, 94, a longtime Big Springs business man, died Sept. 30, 2015, at the Sedgwick County Memorial Nursing Home in Julesburg, Colorado.
Fred was born on July 28, 1921 in a sod house on the family homestead northwest of Arthur. His parents were Otto and Hannah (Porter) Spahn.
In 1939, Fred attended The Opportunity School in Denver, where he took automotive courses. Upon completion, he returned to Ogallala, where he worked for Scott Motors and Hayford Motors.
Fred and Jean (Palu) met on a blind date in the autumn of 1941 and were married on Oct. 9, 1942.
In September of 1942, Fred enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During World War II, he served on board the USS Kennebec AO-36, a tanker, in the Atlantic and the USS 932, a tank landing ship, in the Pacific. He had earned the rank of baker, first class before receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy in November 1945.
After being discharged, Fred and Jean moved to Big Springs, where they opened Spahn Body Shop. Over the years, the business underwent several changes and eventually evolved into Spahn Marine. After selling the business to Trish and Matt Meyer, Fred continued working at the shop and was well known for the promotional ads he did for Spahn Marine.
Fred was a member of the American Legion, VFW and Illinois LST Association. He was also a member of the Ogallala Chamber of Commerce and Lake Committee, where he was involved in activities promoting tourism for Lake McConaughy.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Jean Spahn; sisters, Arietta Yates and Clara Abts; brother, William Spahn; and an infant brother.
Survivors include his children, John (Linda) Spahn, of Las Vegas, Nancy Spahn, of Fontanelle, and Trish (Matt) Meyer, of Big Springs; one granddaughter, Carmen Robinson, and her daughters, Cortney and Cayleigh, of Becker, Minnesota.
Services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Draucker Funeral Home, Ogallala, with Pastor Carl Brandt officiating. Burial will follow at the Arthur Cemetery with military honors by the Keith County Veterans Organization and the U.S. Navy. Draucker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Frederick O. Spahn, 94, a longtime Big Springs business man, died Sept. 30, 2015, at the Sedgwick County Memorial Nursing Home in Julesburg, Colorado.
Fred was born on July 28, 1921 in a sod house on the family homestead northwest of Arthur. His parents were Otto and Hannah (Porter) Spahn.
In 1939, Fred attended The Opportunity School in Denver, where he took automotive courses. Upon completion, he returned to Ogallala, where he worked for Scott Motors and Hayford Motors.
Fred and Jean (Palu) met on a blind date in the autumn of 1941 and were married on Oct. 9, 1942.
In September of 1942, Fred enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During World War II, he served on board the USS Kennebec AO-36, a tanker, in the Atlantic and the USS 932, a tank landing ship, in the Pacific. He had earned the rank of baker, first class before receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy in November 1945.
After being discharged, Fred and Jean moved to Big Springs, where they opened Spahn Body Shop. Over the years, the business underwent several changes and eventually evolved into Spahn Marine. After selling the business to Trish and Matt Meyer, Fred continued working at the shop and was well known for the promotional ads he did for Spahn Marine.
Fred was a member of the American Legion, VFW and Illinois LST Association. He was also a member of the Ogallala Chamber of Commerce and Lake Committee, where he was involved in activities promoting tourism for Lake McConaughy.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Jean Spahn; sisters, Arietta Yates and Clara Abts; brother, William Spahn; and an infant brother.
Survivors include his children, John (Linda) Spahn, of Las Vegas, Nancy Spahn, of Fontanelle, and Trish (Matt) Meyer, of Big Springs; one granddaughter, Carmen Robinson, and her daughters, Cortney and Cayleigh, of Becker, Minnesota.
Services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Draucker Funeral Home, Ogallala, with Pastor Carl Brandt officiating. Burial will follow at the Arthur Cemetery with military honors by the Keith County Veterans Organization and the U.S. Navy. Draucker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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