Valentine “Dick” Springer, 92, passed away Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026 in Lincoln, Ill. with his family by his side.

He was born on July 8, 1934 in Minier, Ill. – the youngest of 10 children born to Alvin and Emma (Kauffmann) Springer. Dick would joke they finally got what they wanted and stopped. He valued his relationships with family, enjoying them as individuals and as a whole.

He was a lifelong member of Hopedale Mennonite Church and served in 1-W Service on the maintenance staff at Goshen College in Goshen, Ind. On Nov. 27, 1958, he married his wife, Nancy (Litwiller) Springer. They settled in Delavan, Ill., where they raised four kids and Dick farmed.

Dick left a legacy of quiet reliability in every area of his life. Growing up during the Great Depression and Second World War meant witnessing family and neighbors pitching in to help each other survive. Deep faith meant taking care of friends like family. Love looked like putting aside his own needs and tending to the needs of others.

To have Dick in your life was a gift. He embodied laughter and joy, carried peppermints to shareand often surprised friends and family with welded art, made thoughtfully for the recipient and always with some small detail meant to get a laugh. He never met a pie he didn’t like, especially Nancy’sand he was always as excited as his grandkids to go get some ice cream. He was a regular at the HG&N Fertilizer Plant southwest of Hopedale, where he showed up at 5:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. every day for coffee and farm news. Dick’s reliable, easy-going personality made others feel at easeand it came from a belief he voiced often: “Every day is a good day.”

Dick is survived by his wife, Nancy; childrenandrea Springer (Steve Snook), Phillip Springer (Cheryl), Douglas (Cindy) Springerand Amy Hartsell (Kelly); grandchildren, Emily Shearer (Michael), Erin Springer (Taylor Long), Wesley (Katelyn) Springer, Grace Springer (Jonny Funk), Katherine Springer, Samuel Springerand Ben Snook; sisters-in-law, Louise Springer, Joann Baugherand Deborah Beyhl. He also has seven great-grandchildren, Charlie, Julia, Isabella, Henry Noble, Henry Alan, Callum and Norahand dozens of nieces, nephews and extended family.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Emmaand his siblings, Verna, Ethel, Paul, Carrol, Mahlonorval, Elmo, Kayand Marvin.

His memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026 at Hopedale Mennonite Church. Pastor Dale Thomas officiated. A private graveside service was held at Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery. Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Delavan will be handling the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Hopedale Mennonite Church.

The family would like to thank the staff of Timber Creek Village and Hands of God Hospice for the loving care they extended to Dick.