This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: mcal27 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.ohio.counties.richland/1335.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Robert E. Spence Aug. 22, 1924 -- Feb. 11, 2004 From: News Messenger, Fremont, Ohio Friday, 13 February, 2004 Our loving father and grandfather, Robert E. Spence, 79, of Meadow Lane, Clyde, died Wednesday at the Medical College of Ohio following a sudden illness. Robert was born in Cleveland to the now-deceased Ernest and Lola (Koonce) Spence. He married Helen Gowitzka on Oct. 21, 1945, and she died Sept. 3, 1989. He then married Kathryn (Lindner) McCleary on Sept. 6, 1997, and she survives. He graduated from West Technical High School in 1942 and attended Baldwin Wallace College and Bicknell University. Robert moved to Clyde in 1951 from Fremont. He was an industrial engineer at the former Clyde Porcelain Steel in 1949, then at the Whirlpool Corporation until he became the cost improvement coordinator. Mr. Spence retired from Whirlpool in 1989. Robert was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clyde, the Clyde Exchange Club, Clyde Eagles, Clyde Moose and Clyde VFW. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy and received a Bronze Star. He was the secretary and treasurer of the USS Melvin survivors. Robert had also been the choir director for the First Presbyterian Church for years. In addition to his wife, Kathryn, Robert is survived by daughters Karrie (Fred) Flower of Fremont and Sheryl (Thomas) Conley of Clyde; son Robert (Joan) Spence of San Diego, Calif.; grandchildren Brian Spence, Betsy Spence, Ken Flower, Bill Flower, Tommy Conley and Jimmy Conley; great-grandchildren Taylor and Kassidy Norris; and brother Wallace (Helga) Spence of Chicago. In addition to his first wife Helen, he is preceded by grandson Robert William Flower and sister Lucille Griswold. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Mitchell-Auxter Funeral Home, 218 S. Main Street, Clyde. Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church, Maple Street, Clyde, with the Rev. Dennis Rinehart officiating. Burial: Bakertown Cemetery, with military graveside services provided by the Clyde VFW and Clyde American Legion. Memorials: To the First United Methodist Church. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.