Bud A. Spurgin

Date of Birth

Apr 28,1930

Date of Death

Jul 26,2012

BUD A. "Red" SPURGIN, age 82, of Elburn, passed away unexpectedly at his home, Thursday, July 26, 2012. BORN: He was born on April 28, 1930 in Albia, IA, of Clyde and Gladys (Repp) Spurgin and was one of seven children. EARLY YEARS:Bud grew up in Albia and attended local schools before helping to support his family by working odd jobs in the area. MARRIAGE: While still a teenager, Bud gave his heart to MaryAnn Raines. A few years later, Bud made the move to Illinois along with many other "Albian’s" looking for work in Elburn at the local meat packing plant, E.W. Kneip, a subsidiary of Eckrich Meats. Bud never forgot his family or his roots, faithfully sending money home to his mom and within a few years he was able to have MaryAnn join him. They were united in marriage in 1953 and lived on Shannon Street. They welcomed a daughter Theresa in 1960 with a son, Buddy, in 1964. Within a few months of his birth, MaryAnn died tragically in an auto accident. Two years later, fate stepped in and introduced him to Helen Brunner Schmidt, a recent widow with seven children of her own and recent residents of Mooseheart, IL. They met on the dance floor of the Blue Moon in Elgin and at the end of the night it seemed poetic that they had unwittingly parked right next to each other. A few weeks later they met yet again, and this time Bud didn’t let her walk away without asking for a date. A love soon blossomed and from it grew a combined family of nine children when they were married on June 8, 1968. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: The "Spurgin Bunch" made a million memories finding ways to live together in Bud’s home on Shannon St. Five girls and four boys shared a three bedroom house with only two bathrooms with Bud and Helen’s love, patience and strength keeping the family together even when the house seemed to be busting at the seams. After successfully raising all their children and seeing them on their way, Bud and Helen decided to make a change in October of 2007 when they moved to their present home in DeKalb. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:Bud spent 38 years at the packing plant until it closed in 1985. He then worked odd jobs for a time before working as a security guard at the DuPage County Courthouse. He put away his uniform in 1995 when he retired after nine years of service. LIFE NOTES: Bud and Helen built their lives on the bedrock of mutual trust, honesty and a love as true as you will ever find. That kind of legacy was a testament to their dedication, and an example to their children on what a marriage should be. Bud got the traveling bug, making memories with every mile alongside Helen in their motor home, as they tooled across the United States. His heart full of the love of his family, Bud always found room for his many dogs over the years. In earlier years, Bud enjoys knocking down ten pins in local bowling leagues and trying his luck in the Casinos. Playing the lottery was another pastime that was fueled by a winning ticket bought on a trip to California. Country music spoke to his heart like no other music and the notes of "Storms Never Last" still echo in the hearts and minds of his family and it was in their presence that he was always the happiest. Bud may have been a small man in stature, but the marks he made in the lives of his family and friends are larger than life. SURVIVORS: He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Helen, 8 children:Steven (Linda) Schmidt, Gary (Debbie) Schmidt, Bob (Carol) Schmidt, Marsha Schmidt, Debby Quackenbush, Jamie (Steven) Koz, Sharon (Gary) Spatafora and Theresa (David) Reis;12 grandchildren:Bryan (Jen) Schmidt and their son, Jesse,Vanessa Hyre and her children, Morgan and Logan, Gretchen (Scott) Hammer and their children Nicholas and William, Kristin (Nigel) Holten, Mary Baugher and her fiancee Nic Fox and her son Dylan Delleman, Sarah Baugher, Megan (Michael) Howe, Hannah Quackenbush,Jessica, Jenna, James and Jill Schmidt;Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many of friends who all were considered a part of his family. PRECEDED:He is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Gladys, his first wife MaryAnn, a son Buddy Spurgin;Six siblings:Earl Donovan, Leona Cameron, Vivian Benge, Madge Selby, Eugene Spurgin and Larry Eugene Spurgin;VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A funeral service to celebrate his life will follow visitation at 11a.m. Rev. Alan Gumm, pastor of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church and Preschool, West Chicago, will officiate and interment will follow the service at Blackberry Township Cemetery, Elburn. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "Bud Spurgin Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com where you can also find his full life story.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A funeral service to celebrate his life will follow visitation at 11a.m. Rev. Alan Gumm, pastor of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church and Preschool, West Chicago, will officiate.

Interment will follow the service at Blackberry Township Cemetery, Elburn.

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