A Love Letter …

My dad was born in a rural town in southeast Indiana and grew up on the farm with his mom and grandparents. He went to Indiana University where he studied business and was an avid IU fan all his life - I had him dressed in an IU fleece jacket for his final rest. He was active in my life always cheering me on and coaching me in softball - he helped me become a better golfer and loved seeing me cheering on the various sports teams over the years. He would run out with my high school varsity basketball teams at Christmas dressed as Santa Claus all through my 4 yrs at Pike High School in Indianapolis. My life and interests were what always seemed to bring him the most joy. Before me, it was spending time with my cousins and toting them all around to this and that outdoor activity in his truck or on his tractor.

Later in life he enjoyed running a small landscaping and gardening business. He volunteered at his church and was always one for family reunions and sitting around chatting with the fellas. He was outgoing and friendly always making friends wherever he went. When he was in agricultural seed sales, he would take me with him during the summers and I would help him read the map and keep watch for the next gravel road to turn. It was through him I developed a love of travel. Dad was always up for a drive or roadtrip. He loved keeping up on where I was headed for my business travels and always wanted to know how work was going and what new places I’d experienced. I get my good sense of direction from him and confidence that the journey was just as important as the destination.

He was active in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H throughout his youth. Fair time was always a celebration and event in my Dad’s mind. He loved showing pigs and teaching me, a city girl, all about it. When we moved to Central Illinois, Dad continued his love of Big10 sports encouraging us to become Illini fans but we, of course, rooted for the Hoosiers when we played each other. Dad was active in the Lions Club, our community church, and all the local sports teams. He loved coaching my softball teams and helping out the coaches for the local boys basketball teams. Dad was always generous with his talents and helping a neighbor. He’d offer to mow someone’s lawn when they’d experience a loss or were out of town. Being outside planting flowers or gardening were his ultimate past times. Growing up I wasn’t allowed to mow our front lawn because I didn’t keep the lines straight enough - the back and side yards were where he’d help me learn the technique and practice. Jason and I would often come home from vacation or business travel to find our lawn mowed and the flowers watered, without us ever asking for the help.

He loved his family. He grew up on his grandparents’ farm in Rush County. Later he built my parents’ first home on the farmland adjacent to their farm. He loved the country, especially the rolling hills near his home. Dad loved to boat, fish, and duck hunt. He always had a dog by his side that loved the water as much as he did. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Thomas and Dorthy (nee Brinkman) Prill; his parents, Donald and Bertha Helen (nee Prill) Fisher; and countless dogs, cats, and farmyard animals he loved and cared for. Surviving is his only child, Kristen Thibo Spriggs, and granddaughter, Charlotte, along with his son-in-law, Jason, all of Carmel, Indiana; sister Jan Lux (Max) of Shelbyville; nephew, Don Lux (Michelle) also of Shelbyville; and niece, Amy Harley (Eric), of Cicero, Indiana. His extended family in Michigan, Ohio, Florida, South Carolina, and throughout Indiana will remember his love, smile, and gentle nature for all of our days.

The family will hold a private ceremony near the Flat Rock Covered Bridge in Moscow, Indiana, where Dad spent his summers and his youth. Memorial contributions to renovate the community space at his long-term care facility where he spent his final days can be sent to Kristen Spriggs, 537 Stableside Lane, Carmel, Indiana 46032.

Funeral Directors, Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Steve’s family.

We imagine him driving a new red truck windows down with a dog by his side headed out to plant some flowers. He loved all the seasons, but spring most of all when the earth was fresh and new again.