Kenneth J. Sperl

     Kenneth J. Sperl, known affectionately as “Ken”, to those who knew and loved him, passed away peacefully at Riverside Methodist Hospital, on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, with his family by his side.
     Ken was born in St. Johns, Michigan, on July 15, 1948, to Margaret (Porubsky) and John Sperl. He grew up in what he often described as an idyllic childhood in a small town, where he spent his days fishing, canoeing on the river, and getting into the kind of mischief that made for stories he loved to tell throughout his life.
     Ken was a talented athlete, and a standout baseball and football player at Elsie High School. He went on to attend Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Multidisciplinary Social Science. After college, Ken became a beloved high school social studies teacher, a carpenter, and eventually pursued his lifelong path in law. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, and in 1979, opened his own law practice next to his home in Ithaca. Ken’s legal career spanned more than 40 years, and included work with Bank One, Sarnova, Huntington National Bank, FirstMerit Bank, and Tsibouris & Associates, LLC. His career eventually brought him and his family to Columbus, Ohio, where they lived in Worthington before he purchased and lovingly added onto his dream home in Pickerington. That home became a special gathering place where Ken, loved to nothing more than hosting holidays, celebrations, and family get-togethers.
      Above all else, Ken was a family man. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren, and nothing brought him greater joy than being surrounded by the people he loved. He lit up whenever he talked about his family and could always be counted on for the biggest belly laughs, especially when his grandchildren were being silly. His love for them was unmistakable and unwavering.
     Ken is survived by his son, Jeremy Sperl; his daughter, Kelley (Tim) Gale; his sister, Patty (Dave) Hanes; his granddaughter, Ava Deroge; grandson, Nolan and Tatum Gale; his nieces, Makell (Jeremy) Magley, and Lacey (Chris) Tyler; and countless beloved pups who found their way into his heart over the years. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret (Porubsky) Sperl; his son, Brian Sperl; daughter-in-law Abigail Sperl; grandsons, Bastion and Lincoln Sperl; son-in-law, Jonathan Murnen; and his aunt, Hilda Machuta.
     Ken was, in every sense of the phrase, larger than life. He was a kind and gentle “bulldog”—strong-willed, fiercely loyal, generous, and full of life. He had a way of making an impression on everyone he met, and his stories, laughter, generosity, and love for his family will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered as the loving, generous, larger-than-life man he was. 
     Ken’s family will have a private family services, at a later date.