Elizabeth C. Sponaugle , 83, of Columbia City, died peacefully in the company of family at 9:08 p.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at Millers at Oak Pointe.

She was born on July 18, 1941, in McRoberts, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Stanley and Mary Lee (Sturgill) Kilgore.  The family moved to Whitley County, Indiana, where she completed Columbia Township Elementary School and graduated from Columbia City Joint High School in 1959.

On July 8, 1967, she was united in marriage to George Sponaugle.  They made their home in Columbia City, raising a son.  George died on February 9, 2004.

Elizabeth started work in 1990 in the offices at Walmart until her retirement in 2018. With her love of animals, she also volunteered for eight years at the Humane Society of Whitley County, where she was instrumental in their fundraising efforts in addition to the care of animals, especially cats

At home, she cared for her son and the many cats she had over the years.  She also helped Gold Star families with Agent Orange claims.

Surviving are her son, Daniel W. Sponaugle of Columbia City; sisters Una Rondeau of Janesville, WI, and Emma Spink of Albion, Indiana; niece and caretaker Leah (Brent) Gibson of Columbia City; many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews; and sisters-in-law, Ann Kilgore of Albion and Marion Kilgore of Sun City, AZ.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by brothers Robert and Billy Kilgore and sisters Margaret Linette Gunther, Mary Jeanette Bowling, Rita McElroy, and Barbara Kilgore; and brothers-in-law, Richard Rondeau and James Spink.

Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  A private burial beside her husband will take place at the Greenhill Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials in Elizabeth's honor are to the Humane Society of Whitley County or Miller's at Oak Pointe.