Joseph Robert Spenner

Joseph Robert Spenner, age 82, died Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in Foley, Al., strengthened with the sacrament of the Holy Mother church. Family and faith defined Joe Spenner's life from the moment he was born on July 16, 1941, in St. Louis, Mo., to his passing while on family vacation.

Joe was the beloved husband of Judy Spenner (nee Neralich) for 61 years; dearest father of Dan (Anne) Spenner, Susie (Dave) Kreitman and Steve (Carey) Spenner; treasured grandfather of Alex, Megan, Rachel, Amanda, Emily, Tyler and Gavin; dear great grandfather of Phineas and Phoenix; loving son of the late John and Margaret Spenner (nee McMahon); dear brother of John (Marian) Spenner and the late Joan Spenner; dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend of many.

Joe attended St. Mary's High School and recalled it as one of the most impactful experiences of his life. While there, he participated in multiple sports - football, basketball, baseball and track - and made lifelong friends he saw regularly throughout his life at alumni luncheons and other gatherings.

Joe wed Judy, the love of his life, in April 1963. Once married, he focused on work and building a secure future for his family. Joe parlayed a drafting class in high school into a long and fruitful career as draftsman and, later, supervisor at Ridgewood Steel Fabricators in St. Louis. Briefly, toward the end of his career until he retired, he also worked at Affton Fabricating & Welding in East St. Louis.

When his children were young, Joe volunteered to coach many seasons of youth football, soccer, basketball and softball. He later found great pleasure in cheering on his grandchildren at their sporting events and rarely missed a game.

Joe picked up some hobbies that became lifelong passions - fishing and photography, in particular. He added cycling to the list after a triple bypass in 1992 and especially enjoyed taking his bike to area parks for outings with like-minded friends.

Nothing brought more relaxation to Joe than spending a weekend with friends casting a line for trout, bass or blue gill. It also was a great way to connect with friends from all the eras of his life - from boyhood, high school, work. He and his brother hosted a legendary annual fishing trip each year to his brother's place in Bull Shoals.

Joe also invested in a camera outfit and began documenting family life, taking literally thousands of photos, which he meticulously stored in photo albums. Those albums contain photographic evidence that he and his buddies really did catch countless record-breaking fish. And each family member can cite at least one time Joe sent them a large envelope containing blown-up photos of a special moment in their life: a school sporting event, graduation, engagement, family photos at the beach.

Speaking of the beach, for 25 years, Joe and Judy, their children and children's families, made an annual trek to Gulf Shores, Alabama, for a week of vacation together. Those became treasured trips filled with laughter, seafood dinners, sandcastles, crab hunts, swimming, fishing, board games, family talent shows and so many family photos. Joe dearly loved seeing the generations of his family come together. Even as the trips to Alabama grew more physically challenging, Joe wouldn't give up those beach trips: the reward of strong family connections he had built and cherished, the reward for a diligent, faith-filled life.

Joe will be remembered for being steadfast, quick to take care of others, expecting nothing in return. He will be remembered for being hardworking, organized, and resilient. But most of all, his family and friends will never forget him. The world was better for his time on earth; Joe will be unbelievably missed.

Visitation at Most Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 350 E 4th St., Eureka, MO 63025, on Friday, October 18, 2024, 10:00 a.m. until memorial mass at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following, the family will host a Celebration of Life and luncheon in the church's Father Dowling Hall, and you are invited to bring memories and stories to share. The family requests no flowers and also asks guests to please refrain from wearing fragrance due to Judy's reactive airway disease.

As an alternative, if desired, donations may be made to two of Joe's favorite charities: the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org) or Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org) or to a charity of your choice in his honor.