Dora May Sponsler, 92, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Friday (July 29, 2011) at her home.

The daughter of Calvin Laniel and Elizabeth Ann (Bywater) Hover, she was born September 25, 1918 in Adair County, Missouri. On April 26, 1936 at the New Harmony Church in rural Kirksville, Dora was united in marriage to William Earl Sponsler who preceded her in death on August 8, 1991.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; four sons, Arthur, Warren, William Jr. and Phillip Sponsler; one grandson, Jeffrey Sponsler; seven brothers, Jim, Roy, Nelson, Marion, George, Harold and Harmon and one sister, Cora.

Dora is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, James C. and Evelyn Sponsler of Princeville, IL; five daughters and three sons-in-law, Eva and Steve Passmore of Claremore, OK, Elizabeth Sponsler of Kirksville, MO, Lavinia Sponsler of Tulsa, OK, Patricia and James Creech of Miami, OK and Rose and Larry Haggard of Jacksonville, NC.; one sister, Eva LeFevre of Meridian, ID; and one daughter-in-law, Karen Sponsler of Greentop, MO. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren including Pamela Sponsler of Greentop, MO; nine great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild.

Dora was a graduate of Novinger High School with the Class of 1936. She had many hobbies including quilting, crocheting, gardening vegetables and flowers, collecting magnets, traveling, being outdoors where she enjoyed wild life, and she was an avid reader and a Cardinal baseball fan. Dora loved children and enjoyed babysitting throughout the years.

She loved spending time with her family and will be sadly missed.

Dora was a member of Hazel Creek Free Will Baptist Church where she was a member of WAC of the Church and taught children’s Sunday school a number of years. She was also a past 4H leader.

Public visitation will be held Tuesday (August 2, 2011) with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday (August 3, 2011) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home, with Reverend Larry Haggard and Reverend John Howell officiating. Interment will follow the service at Hazel Creek Cemetery, northwest of Kirksville.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Dora may be made to Hazel Creek Free Will Baptist Church or to Hazel Creek Cemetery. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.