Spencer, Robert H. 1914-2004

SPENCER, CAMPBELL, GUSTAVISON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/16/2005 at 09:04:33

Robert H. Spencer

Newton Daily News, Monday, April 12, 2004

Robert H. Spencer, 89, died Thursday, April 8, at his home in Newton.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Newton with the Rev. David Wendel officiating. Burial will be at Newton Union Cemetery. Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton is handling arrangements.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home where the family will be available from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorials will be accepted to the First United Methodist Church or to the Jasper County Historical Museum. Memorials may be left at the funeral home or at the church on the day of the service.

The son of Atwell and Ollie (Campbell) Spencer, he was born June 3, 1914, in Newton. He was a graduate of Newton Senior High School in 1933 and attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City. On Nov. 2, 1941, he married Helen Gustavison in Newton. He was employed by the U.S. Post Office in Newton since 1947 and retired as postmaster in 1975.

Mr. Spencer was a member of First United Methodist Church for more than 50 years, joined the Newton Kiwanis Club in 1960 and was president of the club in 1973. He was a charter member of the Jasper County Historical Society and the president during the planning, construction and dedication of the Jasper County Historical Museum. He was a longtime member of the Civil Service Commission and served as Jasper County Civil Defense Director for many years. He was a member of the Elks and of Newton Lodge No. 59 A.F./A.M. He was a past member of the Jasper County Unit of the American Cancer Society and served on the board.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, David and Leslie Spencer of Arlington Heights, Ill., and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a daughter, Beverly in infancy; two brothers; and two sisters.

Later Correction in April 19th paper:
Information received for Robert Spencer's obituary (in the April 12 edition) omitted that he served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a Master Sergeant in the Signal Corps of the Third Army in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Germany.