VAN NUYS, Sept. 24 — George Spahn, former owner of a dilapidated riding stable and ranch in the Simi Hills that was home for the Manson family at the time of the Tate-LaBianca murders, died Monday in a nursing home, it was reported today.

Spahn was 85. Funeral arrangements were pending.

Mrs. Alice Hicks, Spahn’s daughter, said there would be no funeral service. She said her father died of degenerative diseases attributable to old age.

Spahn’s ranch, near Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley, was a complex of run down cabins in a wooded area once used for movie backgrounds.

When Charles Manson and his runaways girls moved in, Spahn, who was blind, said he was afraid to get rid of them.

During the Tate-LaBianca murder trial, Spahn testified:

“I smelled a rat, but I was afraid to crowd them. I was scared to death of Charlie.

“I was afraid that if I cross him he’d hurt me. I guess I got it right,” he said.

The old ranch burned down and the Manson crew moved to an area near Death Valley where they were captured.

Manson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houton were convicted of nine murders and are serving life terms in California prisons.

Four other persons were subsequently convicted in connection with the murders.