Dan Springer, 79,

Dan Springer, 79, passed away on September 5, 2025, surrounded by his wife and sons, at his home in Fayetteville, GA after courageously battling pancreatic cancer. 

Dan was born in Keokuk, Iowa, on September 8, 1945, the second son of Forrest and Neva Springer.  

His wife, Jo (Beaird) Springer, of 54 years survives, as well as two sons and five grandchildren; Joel (Jessica) Springer, Aidan, Ava, and Anders from Maple Valley, WA; and Justin (Annie) Springer, Connor, and Marlowe from Aurora, CO. 

Also surviving are five brothers and sisters; Brian (Gina) Springer, Kahoka, Steve (Brenda) Springer, Quincy, Illinois, Cort (Bev) Springer, New London, Iowa, Kathy Long, St. Francisville, and Kim Himenes (Kahoka). Sister-in-law Barbara Neyens, Kahoka, and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Forrest (Newt) and Neva Springer and his in-laws Ernest (Shorty) and Helen Beaird. 

Dan was raised in St. Francisville, Missouri and he enjoyed a childhood of adventure; fishing and swimming in the Des Moines River, playing baseball, and palling around with his 5 brothers and sisters. He graduated Kahoka High School in 1964 and he began military service just one week later. Dan attended Marine Corps Recruit Training in San Diego and later underwent rigorous schooling to become a Cryptologic Technician. Dan volunteered for duty in Vietnam and he served on a combat tour 1967-1968 near Da Nang. Dan separated from the Marines at the rank of Sergeant, and he enrolled at Northeast Missouri State University, where he also participated as a Cadet in Army ROTC. He graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army as a Field Artillery Officer.

While attending college, Dan met the love of his life, Jo, and they were married on August 14, 1971. They later welcomed two sons. In 1984, Dan transitioned into the Army Reserves and he also began a civilian role with the Department of the Army. In 1990, Dan was placed on active duty and he deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of Desert Storm. Dan retired from the military in 1991 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after serving over 27 years in uniform. He continued his career with the Department of the Army until retiring in 2006. He dedicated a combined 41 years of service to his country.   

Dan enjoyed a lifetime of traveling the world. While serving on active duty, Dan was stationed in Japan and Germany where he and his family explored numerous countries in Southeast Asia and Europe. Later in life, Dan and Jo continued to explore on trips that notably included African safaris, the Egyptian pyramids, and cruises around Alaska, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Dan also generously treated his sons’ families to numerous trips to Florida beaches and Disney World.      

Dan had a tremendous sense of humor and he loved to bond over laughter. He was a dedicated family man and he eagerly crisscrossed the country attending the important life events of his entire family.   

During his retirement, Dan continued his lifetime of selfless service by volunteering with several organizations. Dan was a founding member of his local chapter of Honor Flight, where he escorted World War 2 Veterans on eleven trips to Washington DC. He was a Charter member of the Marine Corps League in Fayette County, Georgia, where he served in various leadership capacities. Each fall, Dan gave countless hours of his time to the Toys for Tots program, where he ensured that thousands of families enjoyed a happy holiday season. Dan was also a devout member of the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church congregation, where he served in several positions on church committees.  Dan was buried in Revere, Missouri on September 13. 

A memorial service will be held on September 27 at 4pm at the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church.