John Spets

With great sadness and appreciative of a life well-lived the family of John Spets, 86, of Kewanee, announces his passing. John died at 12:01 a.m., Sunday September 17, 2023 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, two-and-a-half weeks after falling at his home. John lived a full-life centered on God, family and his community. 

John was born Friday November 13, 1936, in Kewanee to Asa J. and Genevieve Spets, the third of four children. He attended Kewanee schools all his life, graduating with the class of 1954. Following graduation, he served in the US Army at Fort Riley Kansas and Wurzburg Germany. After his honorable discharge he married the love of his life, Beverly, and began his business career with Spets Brothers, Inc along with his father and brothers.

John is survived by his wife of 66 years and three children, Julie Shirley and David Spets, both of Kewanee and Doug Spets of Augusta, GA. He also leaves behind five grandchildren, Matt Shirley, Jackie Tavares, John David Spets and Jennifer Chapman, all of Kewanee and Lindsay Little of Easley, SC, five great grandchildren with one on the way, Theo, Alex, Elliott, Macy and Sawyer and his brother, Don Spets of Punta Gorda, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Floyd, sister Margaret Jane Rinella, daughter-in-law Debbie Spets and grandson Christopher Shirley.

John was devoted to his community, serving on numerous boards and organizations. A short list would include the Kewanee School Board, Henry County Builders Club, Kewanee Economic Development Corporation, People’s National Bank, the Mid Valley Board of Realtors, the Kewanee United Methodist Church, Kewanee Public Hospital and many many others. He was honored by the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce with its Citizen of the Year award in 2001. 

Along with his association with Spets Brothers, he also founded Arrow Real Estate serving as a broker and president for many years. John and three partners, including his brother Don, bought the old St. Francis Hospital of Kewanee in 1975 and remodeled it into an apartment complex to provide housing for the community. In his later years he enjoyed traveling to Florida during the winters, spending time drinking coffee and tea with close friends while solving the problems of the world and watching, and ultimately being disappointed by, the Cubs and Bears. 

A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 20 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 21 at the funeral home with Pastor Haley Hausman officiating. Private inurnment will be held at Pleasant View Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Kewanee Schools Foundation, the First United Methodist Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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