Date of death: 9/24/2023
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1966
Joseph Patrick Sponn, 83, passed away in the early morning hours of September 24, 2023. He was born in Washington on March 17, 1940, to Joseph Carl and Bernadine (Grannan) Sponn.
On August 13, 1960, he married Karen (Neukam) Sponn and she survives.
A 1958 graduate of Washington Catholic High School, Joe worked as a farmhand for Ralph Keith until he was hired by Superior Steel Ball to be their third shift supervisor; he was the fifth employee they hired. In 1968, he was chosen to help start a new venture and become the superintendent of Lydal Magnetics, a position he held until his injury in 1972. He also ran K&K Trophies in Washington for a number of years.
A man of many interests, Joe started the first Archery Club in Washington in 1962. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Daviess County Right to Life, the Moose Lodge, and the Daviess County Historical Society. Joe was a devout member of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church.
Those who mourn Joe’s passing include his wife of sixty-three years, Karen Sponn; his children: Anna Lea (Scott) Smith of Montgomery; Alicia (David) Cash of Mooresville; and Joe Sponn of Washington. Joe was blessed with six grandchildren: Patrick (Mary) Smith; Sarah (Christopher) Shafer; Whitney (Mack) Lamonte; Shelby Cash; Michelle (Paul) Mosley; and Chad Cash, twelve great-grandchildren: Abigail; Connor; Gabriel; Avery; McKenzi; Caylyn; Madison; Koal; Jude; Fin; Jadyn; and Liam, and one great-great-grandson, Emery James. Joe leaves siblings: Elizabeth (husband Ed is deceased) Clements of Haubstadt; John (Joan) Sponn of Washington; Rick (Karen) Sponn of Washington; Mark Sponn of Loogootee, and special friend and cousin, Bill (wife Judy is deceased) Hirtzel of Peewee Valley, Kentucky.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Carl and Bernadine Sponn.