Jack B. Spicer

Jack B. Spicer, 89, of 27366 Lyona Road, Guys Mills and a resident of Wesbury United Methodist Community since March 1998, died there Sunday, December 30, 2001.

He was born in Alpena, MI, March 28, 1912 a son of John Wesley and Polly Minerva Wilcox Spicer.  He married Rose Marie Edgcumbe August 10, 1946 and she survives.

He was an industrial engineer at Talon for 15 years and previously had worked at Paramount Die Casting Co. of Stevensville, MI.

He attended the University of Michigan.  He was a member of Stone United Methodist Church and a teacher of it’s Men’s Bible Class, a member of the Lake Shore Masonic Lodge of Benton Harbor, MI, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the AARP.  He was also an Eagle Scout and a Boy Scout volunteer for many years in both Michigan and Meadville.

He was an avid mariner and was a licensed Master Pilot.  He designed and helped build the Barbara J sternwheeler that operated on Conneaut Lake for many years.  The Barbara J was built in Michigan and was originally christened the River Queen.  It was the first sternwheeler to be built in the United States after World War II.  He was a writer of Great Lakes seafaring lore and was published in several regional publications.  He also had a passion for building scale models of Great Lakes Schooners, which are currently on display at the Besser Museum in Alpena, MI.  He also enjoyed bowling, golfing and was an avid reader.

Survivors, in addition to his wife of 55 years, include two daughters, Betty Litke and her husband Gene of Guys Mills and Mary Spicer of Guys Mills; a son, Charles W. Spicer and his wife Pat of Greensboro, NC; three grandchildren, Matthew Litke, Sarah Litke and Elizabeth Hackney and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Spicer and H. Herbert Spicer and a sister, Grayce Brown and an infant sister, Muriel Spicer.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 10 – 11 a.m. at Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main Street, Meadville.  The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. William Brown, Visitation Pastor, officiating.

Cremation will follow.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335 or the Jesse Besser Museum, 491 Johnson St., Alpena, MI 49707.

The arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut St., Meadville, PA 16335.