John Spehle

VISITATION

4-7 p.m., Thursday, August 2 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel and 10-11 a.m., Friday, August 3 at Hallie United Methodist Church.

SERVICE

11 a.m., Friday, August 3 at Hallie United Methodist Church, 12146 22nd Ave., Chippewa Falls.

John Henry Spehle, 79, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours at his home, in the village of Lake Hallie, on July 31, 2012. John fought a valiant battle with cancer since his diagnosis in March of 2010.

He was born on November 30, 1932 in the town of Brunswick, one of the middle children of Louis and Edith Spehle.

John proudly served in the U.S. Marines from 1952 until his honorable discharge in 1955.

John returned to his home in Brunswick and worked at Huntsinger Farms, where he met the love of his life, Theresa M. Sippel.

John and Theresa eloped to Stillwater, MN on May 17, 1957.

His strong work ethic was called upon to excavate and dig countless basements and foundations in the Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls area. Over the years he worked for Fred Piehl Construction, Devney Construction and Devney Excavating. In 1978, John fulfilled his dream of becoming his own boss and John Spehle Excavating became reality.

John loved his family and life. He found great pleasure in spending the day on a lake, even if not one fish was caught! He was a fine woodworker and found pleasure in gardening, a trip to the farmer's market on the weekend, family picnics, monthly family breakfasts and a good table game with his family at the end of a day.

He was a long time member of Lake Hallie United Methodist Church, where he served in various capacities.

John will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Theresa; daughter, Cynthia Mae (Dale) Dugstad, and his pride and joy grandson, his little bud, Gabriel John Dugstad all of Red Wing, MN; daughter, Susan Kay (Mike Heiberg) Spehle-Heiberg of Newburg, Missouri. He is further survived by his five siblings, Marion (Eugene) Heintz of Barnes, Lamoine (Ann) Spehle of Eau Claire, Chuck (Alice) Spehle of the town of Tainter, Bill (Darlene) Spehle of Brunswick, Edie (Leon) Schretenthaler of the town of Washington; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Gourley and Gertrude Sippel, both of Chippewa Falls, brother-in-law, Thomas (Carol) Sippel of Chippewa Falls. He was loved by many nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, August 3, at Hallie United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Eric Nelson officiating. Interment with military honors provided by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will be in Prairie View Cemetery, village of Lake Hallie.

Friends may call from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, August 2 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls and one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.

Dad, you were a rock. Thanks for passing your strength on to us to carry on. You will be sorely missed. Rest in peace now, dearest Dad.

AFTERSERVICE

A funeral service for John Henry Spehle, 79, of the village of Lake Hallie, was held at 11 a.m., Friday, August 3, 2012 at Hallie United Methodist Church, Chippewa Falls. The Rev. Eric Nelson officiated, music was provided by organist, Judy Brist and vocalists, Firma Zais and John's niece, Jill Markiewicz. John's daughter, Sue Spehle-Heiberg shared personal reflections.

Interment was in Prairie View Cemetery, village of Lake Hallie with military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council and Thomas Eder Jr. bugled "Taps." Casket bearers were nephews, Dick, Don and Jim Heintz, Keith Schretenthaler, Craig and Kevin Spehle.