Karl J. Spicker

Karl J. Spicker, 71 of Ashland passed away early Monday morning, November 17, 2025 in Hospice of Western Reserve in Medina of lung cancer, following a courageous, multi-decade struggle with MS.
He was born on October 20, 1954 in Ashland, the son of the late Hermann and Anna (nee Minges) Spicker.
Karl attended St. Edward Elementary School, and graduated from St. Peter High School in 1972. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Tri-State University in 1977.
While at Tri-State, he was Captain of the fencing team, where he made life long friends, and first crossed swords with his wife, Anne. They were married in 1978.
Karl worked for Westinghouse Electric Co in Tampa, Florida and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where his and Anne's daughter, Andrea was born in 1981. In 1988, Karl moved his family to Ashland, Ohio where he took a position in the Switchgear and Control Department at The Ideal Electric Company, in Mansfield. He was a steadfast pillar of the Ideal community until his retirement in 2008. Karl was an Eagle Scout, and a handyman. He was an incredibly talented woodworker who spent his free time restoring antiques and building beautiful pieces of furniture for his family and friends.
He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, spending time with his family, and watching "This Old House", Norm Abrams and "The Woodwright Shop" on PBS. He loved James Bond movies and had a lifelong affinity for Westerns, especially "The Outlaw Josey Wales", which he would watch every single time it came on TV, even though he probably could have recited it from memory.
Karl was a loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather, who never failed to show his support for the interests and activities of his loved ones.
After retiring Karl became involved in raising money for the National MS Society through Bike MS, riding parts of their annual 150 mile fundraising ride each August on his recumbent three wheel bike with Anne and many friends and family members.
He is remembered by his loving wife, Anne Spicker of Ashland; his daughter and son in law, Andrea and Andrew Houghtaling and grandchildren, Andrew and Margaret of Cincinnati; his mother-in-law, Mrs. Janice Kortenber of Fort Wayne, Indiana; his maternal aunt, Mrs. Theresa Jakubko of Ashland, Ohio with whom he had a special relationship; his siblings, Wilhelm (Sharon) Spicker, Dieter (Carol) Spicker, Edward (Lori) Spicker, Christopher (Cathy) Spicker, Annette Spicker and Maria (Jim) Coyle; his extended family, including in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous nieces, nephews and friends, each of whom he cared for deeply, though space runs short to list them each here by name.
In addition to his parents, Karl is preceded in death by his father-in-law, Mr. Thomas Kortenber.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to National Multiple Sclerosis Society Buckeye Chapter, 6133 Rockside Road, Suite 208, Independence, OH 44131.
For those who wish to share memories or thoughts of Karl, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home's website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.