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Obituary

Obituary for Ruben Leslie Sperling

Ruben Leslie Sperling was born June 13, 1924, in Kremlin, OK to parents, Abraham and Katherina (Penner) Sperling. Ruben grew up in Kremlin and attended Kremlin schools through 11th grade, before moving with his family to Lehigh, Kansas and graduating from Lehigh High School in 1942. Ruben attended Tabor College for one semester, before leasing the family farm and fulfilling his farm deferment during WWII. In later years, he enrolled in various night courses, including mechanics and woodworking.… Ruben was baptized and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Hillsboro, Kansas on May 28, 1944. Shortly after, Ruben married the love of his life, Aganetha Frances (Regier) Sperling, on October 22, 1944 at the North Enid Mennonite Brethren Church. The couple has lived in Kremlin, Ok; Lehigh, KS; and Enid, OK before moving to Shafter in 1960. Ruben began his career on the family farm, later purchasing and operating a service station, before concluding his career providing auto and tractor parts at Hitchcock’s Auto Parts, West Kern Machinery, and Neufeld Auto Parts here in Shafter. He was blessed with a beautiful high tenor voice and he truly enjoyed making a joyful noise in the church choir and various men’s quartets and octets. Ruben also enjoyed woodworking in his spare time, and personally built all of the kitchen cabinets in his home. He and Aganetha felt lucky to travel often; they visited sites all over the U.S. and Canada, and even had the opportunity to travel to Europe and South America. They were also members of the Shafter Trailer Club, and traveled with them for many years in addition to camping frequently with family members. Always active in Church groups, Ruben taught Sunday School and acted as a youth group leader; in addition he and Aganetha served as deacon for many years at the Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church. Ruben is predeceased by his sister, Minnie; brothers, Clarence and Neal; and a grandson, Jeremy Lynn Sperling. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Aganetha Sperling; his children, LeAnna and husband Gordon Wiens of Fresno, Merl Sperling and wife Susan of Zephyer Hills, FL, Larene and husband Stan Hester of Grover Beach, Gale Sperling and wife Karen of Derby Acres, and Dale Sperling and wife Nadine of Shafter; as well as 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He will be dearly missed. Ruben Leslie Sperling passed away November 13, 2017 in Bakersfield. A viewing was held at Peters Funeral Home in Shafter on Sunday, November 19, 2017 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Graveside services were held at Shafter Memorial Park on Monday, November 20, 2017 at 10:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church at 11:30 a.m.; Pastor Pat Coyle officiated the services.