EXHIBIT 24

LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint JOHN E. SZTYKIEL, RICHARD J. SCHALTER, JAMES W. KNAPP, CARYN M. MOREAU, STEPHEN C. WATERBURY and MICHAEL K. MOLITOR, or any one or more of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys and agents, with full power of substitution in the premises, to do any and all acts and things and to execute and file any and all instruments that such attorneys and agents, or any of them, may consider necessary or advisable to enable the undersigned (in his or her individual capacity or in a fiduciary or other capacity) to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), and any requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with his or her intended sale of any security related to Spartan Motors, Inc. (the "Company) pursuant to Rule 144 issued under the Securities Act and the preparation, execution and filing of any report or statement of beneficial ownership or changes in beneficial ownership of securities of the Company that the undersigned (in his or her individual capacity or in a fiduciary or other capacity) may be required to file pursuant to Sections 13 or 16 of the Act including, without limitation, full power and authority to sign the undersigned's name, in his or her individual capacity or in a fiduciary or other capacity, to any report, application or statement on Form ID, Forms 3, 4, 5 or 144, Schedules 13D or 13G, or to any amendments or any successor forms thereto, or any form or forms adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission in lieu thereof or in addition thereto, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

The undersigned agrees that the attorneys-in-fact named herein act as legal counsel to the Company in connection with the securities matters addressed herein, and do not represent the undersigned in his or her personal capacity in connection with such matters. The undersigned agrees that the attorneys-in-fact named herein may rely entirely on information furnished orally or in writing by the undersigned to such attorneys-in-fact. The undersigned also agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the attorneys-in-fact against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) that arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or omission of necessary fact in the information provided by the undersigned to the attorneys-in-fact for purposes of executing, acknowledging, delivering or filing any such forms, or any amendments or any successor forms thereto, or any form or forms adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission in lieu thereof or in addition thereto.

This authorization shall supersede all prior authorizations to act for the undersigned with respect to securities of the Company in these matters, which prior authorizations are hereby revoked, and shall survive the termination of the undersigned's status as a director and/or officer of the Company and remain in effect thereafter for so long as the undersigned (in his or her individual capacity or in a fiduciary or other capacity) is subject to Rule 144 with respect to securities of the Company or has any obligation under Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to securities of the Company.

Date: September 9, 2002		/s/ Charles E. Nihart
		Signature

		Charles E. Nihart
		Please print name

NIHART CHARLES E 4