Richard "Rich" Spellman

Richard "Rich" Spellman

Richard "Rich" Spellman, age 78, of Kearney, passed away surrounded by family October 31, 2023, at St. Luke's nursing home in Kearney. Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 27, 2023, at the Kearney First United Methodist Church, 4500 Linden Dr., Kearney. Pastor Seungli You will officiate, and a burial will follow at the Kearney Cemetery. A lunch reception will follow the burial at the Church. Memorials are suggested to the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department or the First United Methodist Church. Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney oversees the arrangements. To leave online condolences please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com.

Rich was born on March 10, 1945, in Albin, WY to William E. and Marcella C. (Oswald) Spellman. He was baptized in Riverdale, NE. He attended school in Albin, WY, LaGrange, WY, Oconto, NE, and Amherst, NE. He graduated from Amherst, Nebraska in May 1963. He attended Kearney State College in 1967. Rich married Judy Ann Flynn on September 6, 1964, in Broken Bow, NE. They had recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary and were already making plans for their 60th. They lived in Kearney, Nebraska, where they raised two sons, Gregory Scott, and Daniel Wade. Rich worked at Rockwell International from 1963 – 1966, Union Pacific Railroad from 1966 – 1970, Northwestern Public Service from 1970 – 2000, and he owned a small insulation business. After retiring from Northwestern, Rich continued to volunteer as a member of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department and drove the RYDE bus. One of the most important things to Rich was spending time with people, he especially enjoyed all the time with family and friends.

Rich attended the First United Methodist Church. He was a proud member of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, where he volunteered for 31 years. His son, Dan, was very proud to have served with him on KVFD. He was a member of Seekers Sunday School Class, Compassionate Friends, Riverdale MYF, Kearney Krazy Kampers, Jaycees, Boy Scouts, Little League Baseball coach, and an Honorary member of the Red Knights.

Rich loved spending time with his family and friends. Attending Seekers Sunday School Class was very important to him, as was giving out his crosses. He enjoyed camping, traveling, and meeting new people. He cherished his time hunting with his family and many friends, especially deer hunting with the Kotschwars. Rich was proud to be a member of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, the members of KVFD were a huge part of his life. He was a hard worker, a giver, a hugger, a fighter, and especially "ornery". He was happy to share his faith and it was showed by all the crosses he gave to anyone and everyone, up until his last days.

Rich will be remembered by his wife Judy Spellman; son Dan Spellman and wife, Leigh Ann (Holoubeck) Spellman, granddaughters; Arianna Marie (Spellman) Kruse and her husband Kiel Kruse of Gainesville, FL, Tylo Breann Spellman of Poughkeepsie, NY, and Kailyn Savanna Spellman of Lincoln, NE; grandson Gregory Scott DeWeese and wife Brittany DeWeese of Kimball, NE; great-grandchildren Wyatt, Lyndsie, Daniel, Liam, Collette, Hallie; foster daughter, Sharon Jacobs of Algona, IA; and foster granddaughters, JaDonna and Jennifer; brother Virgil Spellman of Kearney, NE; sisters-in-law, Della Spellman of Kenai, AK and Carol (Brown) Spellman of Oconto, NE, as well as many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Rich was preceded in death by his son Gregory Scott Spellman of Kearney, NE, Father William E. Spellman of Amherst, NE, Mother Marcella Carrie (Oswald) Spellman of Kearney, NE, Brothers: Carl M. Spellman of Reno, NV and Stanley E. Spellman of Oconto, NE, Sister: Marvel Ann Spellman of Axtell, NE, Brother-in-law: Harry V. Pirnie of San Jose, CA, Sisters-in-law: Linda (Richter) Spellman of Kearney, NE, Judy (Johnson) Billings-Spellman of Kearney, NE, Violet M. (Pirnie) Vinnedge of Niles, MI, Stella P. (Pirnie) Stark Weil of Grand Island, NE. Nephews: Harry Pirnie, Jr. of San Jose, CA, Troy D. Stark of Grand Island, NE, Kyle Dean Vinnedge of Cheyenne, WY, Gary Vinnedge of Niles, MI, Rob Spellman of Kearney, NE, and Niece: Cindy (Spellman) Edgington of Callaway, NE.