FORT WORTH — Dean Mardis Sponsler, 92, a retired chief master sergeant, passed away Friday, May 11, 2012. Memorial service: 1:30 p.m. Monday in Mayfield Kiser Funeral Home Chapel. Dean was born May 23, 1919 in Humeston, Iowa. He was the youngest of six children born to Jacob and Mary Sponsler. Jacob died when he was one year old. His mother married again but the man deserted the family. She had to take in laundry to help support and raise the children. He was the high school class valedictorian. Dean received an associate degree from the American Business Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. He joined the Iowa National Guard in 1936 as part of the Calvary/Army Air Corps. He was drafted into the US Army in 1943 and was discharged in 1945 followed by joining the Air National Guard, and worked as an operations technician of the 124th Fighter Squadron in Des Moines, Iowa. The unit was activated in 1951 for the Korean War. Arabia, Japan and Germany were among his numerous assignments, highlighted by several years as NCOIC of Air Force Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington DC. For his service there, he received the Joint Chiefs of Staff Commendation Medal. Dean was one of the first to receive the super enlisted ranks of Senior Master Sergeant (E8) and Chief Master Sargeant (E9). In 1974 he retired from the military with over 33 years of active service. After his retirement he returned to his home town of Humeston, Iowa and eventually became postmaster and commander of the local American Legion Post. While living there he and Katy also jointly researched and wrote several books on family history. In 1995 they moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida and moved on to Burleson, Texas in 2007. both Dean and Katy enjoyed living in Heritage Place since that time. Survivors: Dean is survived by his wife Katy, his wife of nearly 74 years. They were blessed with three children: Fred Sponsler, Roy Sponsler and Deana Langer, who provided their parents with seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. In the past few years he was a dedicated caregiver to Katy who had developed memory problems. He was a wonderful man who made his 92 years count. He will be forever missed by his entire family as well as his numerous friends.
