Obituary for Worth Spears
Worth Spears 69 of Utica passed away April 24. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held Thursday May 2 at 7 PM in the Utica Fire Station in Utica. Monsignor James Swaner will officiate. A memorial visitation will be Thursday from 4 PM until the time of services in the Fire Station. The Burgess Funeral Home in Utica is handling the arrangements.
Worth was born July 28, 1949 in Floyd County, Kentucky to John and Lucy (May) Spears. He is survived by his wife Colette of 48 years. Worth and Colette shared a remarkable journey of life with much love and support for each other. Worth was dedicated to all his family, in which included frequent trips to Kentucky to be with his family, especially his mom Lucy. She passed in 2011 at the age of 91. Worth is survived by two children, Molly (Eric) Williamson of Ottawa and Jonathan (Shelby) Spears of Camas Washington. He had three beloved grandchildren; Julia, Jack and Luke. He is also survived by a sister Norma Sue (Steve) Scott of Punta Gorda Florida, and a brother Bobby (Brenda) Spears of Kimper Kentucky. He had several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Joanne.
He graduated from John’s Creek High School. He did attend IVCC in Oglesby. He initially came to Illinois in 1968 to manage a Dry-Cleaning Service with his sister and brother in-law. He worked in maintenance at GE Plastics. He received his Insurance Brokers License, and worked for Country Company. He owned and operated his own Insurance Agency until March of 2004. He returned to maintenance at Ottawa Pavilion until his retirement.
He was a volunteer driver/EMT for the Utica Fire District from 1995 to April 1 2016. He and Colette a PHRN with their passion of caring for others in their time of need worked together on many emergency calls.
He was extremely involved in his children’s activities which included coaching little league baseball and softball. He was their biggest supporter in anything the participated in.
He was involved at St. Bede Academy through the Bedan Club, and other activities where needed. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Utica, and the Knights of Columbus. When asked for his service in someone’s time of need he was there for them. In the Spear’s home, dinner was never a set time due to his volunteering to help others. He was a man of many God given talents, He could fix or build anything he put his mind to.
He was the happest when fishing. He often visited the banks of the Illinois River in the evenings to cast and release. He told the story of once trading a fish for a hamburger with a group from Chicago. When he met someone from that point on, they were not a stranger. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. He enjoyed listening to Johnny Cash and Merle haggard on his long trips home. He legally transported moonshine from Kentucky to Illinois. He loved to share his “down home “stories. He was kind, humble, a fun guy with a great smile.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family for his favorite charities.
On line condolences may be expressed at www.burgessfh.com
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Worth was born July 28, 1949 in Floyd County, Kentucky to John and Lucy (May) Spears. He is survived by his wife Colette of 48 years. Worth and Colette shared a remarkable journey of life with much love and support for each other. Worth was dedicated to all his family, in which included frequent trips to Kentucky to be with his family, especially his mom Lucy. She passed in 2011 at the age of 91. Worth is survived by two children, Molly (Eric) Williamson of Ottawa and Jonathan (Shelby) Spears of Camas Washington. He had three beloved grandchildren; Julia, Jack and Luke. He is also survived by a sister Norma Sue (Steve) Scott of Punta Gorda Florida, and a brother Bobby (Brenda) Spears of Kimper Kentucky. He had several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Joanne.
He graduated from John’s Creek High School. He did attend IVCC in Oglesby. He initially came to Illinois in 1968 to manage a Dry-Cleaning Service with his sister and brother in-law. He worked in maintenance at GE Plastics. He received his Insurance Brokers License, and worked for Country Company. He owned and operated his own Insurance Agency until March of 2004. He returned to maintenance at Ottawa Pavilion until his retirement.
He was a volunteer driver/EMT for the Utica Fire District from 1995 to April 1 2016. He and Colette a PHRN with their passion of caring for others in their time of need worked together on many emergency calls.
He was extremely involved in his children’s activities which included coaching little league baseball and softball. He was their biggest supporter in anything the participated in.
He was involved at St. Bede Academy through the Bedan Club, and other activities where needed. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Utica, and the Knights of Columbus. When asked for his service in someone’s time of need he was there for them. In the Spear’s home, dinner was never a set time due to his volunteering to help others. He was a man of many God given talents, He could fix or build anything he put his mind to.
He was the happest when fishing. He often visited the banks of the Illinois River in the evenings to cast and release. He told the story of once trading a fish for a hamburger with a group from Chicago. When he met someone from that point on, they were not a stranger. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. He enjoyed listening to Johnny Cash and Merle haggard on his long trips home. He legally transported moonshine from Kentucky to Illinois. He loved to share his “down home “stories. He was kind, humble, a fun guy with a great smile.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family for his favorite charities.
On line condolences may be expressed at www.burgessfh.com
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