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BORN
1951
DIED
2021
FUNERAL HOME
Arthur Spellmeyer Obituary
Spellmeyer, Arthur W., III
Age 69, passed away February 17, 2021 after a long struggle with Parkinson's/Lewy Body Dementia.
Son of Arthur W. Spellmeyer, Jr. and Jacqueline (Chrismer) Spellmeyer, he was a graduate of Bayless High School, Mizzou and received his MBA from St. Louis University.
Art was a long time executive with Simon Property Group in Indianapolis where his notable projects include Mall of America and The Forum Shoppes at Caesar's Palace.
A proud Eagle Scout and winner of the Tan-Tar-A Golden Hanger award for New Year's Eve fashion, he was a collector of shoes - his red ones being his favorites just like the Red Birds were his favorite team, especially Kenny Boyer. However, when the opportunity arose, Art helped himself to Bob Gibson's jersey when exiting the Cardinal clubhouse.
He was fortunate in friends. His Sig Ep frat brothers are his brothers in every sense of the word. What happened at the Sig Ep house did not stay at the Sig Ep house and the stories have become epic tales in debauchery retold around Peckerwood campfires with a cold one in hand.
One cannot find a more ardent lover of music. The Fab Four were his favorite boys but his collection of music is both sophisticated and eclectic. Friday night band practice let a mediocre guitar player live out his rock star dreams.
Affectionately known as The Cool Rockin' Daddy, Art will be missed by his wife of 42 years, Mary Lou (Schnellmann); his children, Lauren, A.W. (Christie), Jordan (Devon) and four grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Karen Wadley, nieces, nephews, cousins and Aunt Merle Shrum.
Services: No services are planned at this time. Donations in his memory can be made to the Parkinson's Association. A service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.
Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Spellmeyer
February 13, 2026
Wonderful and adventurous fraternity brother at MIZZOU! Keep playing that guitar for St. Peter. ❤
Raymond VANLANOT
February 16, 2024
What can I say, except that I miss you, my friend. You gave life to our band in Indiana. You worked on it 200% and you inspired me. It is crazy that you have been missed for Three years, tomorrow. I really loved playing with you, and I want to play music with you again.
Deanna Witt
August 16, 2021
Miss u.
Michelle
May 8, 2021
Every time I hear the song by the Talking Heads I think of Art. He was a music man. May you rest in peace.
How you can show support
John Kitterman
March 9, 2021
Love you and miss you Art but you’ll always be larger than life in my memories! Just learned of your passing today while I was sharing an Art Spellmeyer story with another Simon friend Adrian Brown. Spraying your wingtips with gold paint while they were still on your feet just prior to some gig we had. Classic! So grateful I had the opportunity to know you Art. You were a real standup guy in life evidenced by all the people who respected and loved you. So the old musician’s joke about a couple of musicians going to heaven and getting to be in God’s band. The only downside they said was God has this girlfriend....for non- musicians the band leaders girlfriend somehow always finds her way into the band...as the singer.... and typically is tone deaf.
As James Brown always said...”stay on the good foot”Art!
Your band mate and friend John Kitterman
Janice Kestler
March 1, 2021
Mary Lou you have my deepest sympathy. I will be praying for Art, you and your whole family.
Sylvia Rankin
February 25, 2021
Well, Arthur, you are doing your Elvis impersonation at the Pearly Gates now. How fortunate Heaven is to have such a kind and funny man -- and one who loved making music so much. Godspeed, old friend.
Sherri Starr
February 25, 2021
Art was a great guy whom I met when joining May in 1976. He was always fun to work with and my late husband, Bill Harding, thought he was the best. Mary Lou, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Stephen Simon
February 24, 2021
Mary Lou and the kids, I send my deepest condolences on the passing of Art on myself, Herb and Cathy. Herbie loved him so, and I really can’t adequately describe how much love and affection I have for Art. We finished each other’s sentences in song lyrics and will always treasure all the great moments I had with him. All my Love and Prayers, Steve Simon and entire Simon family
Terri Wall
February 23, 2021
Very sorry to read this. He was always so kind to me at Simon.
Mark Furrer
February 23, 2021
Art was simply a great guy, I always wished I could be half as smart and ten percent as funny. My condolences to his family
Curt & Cinda Davis
February 22, 2021
We were next door river house neighbors in the Salem area and know they thoroughly loved our piece of paradise. We will miss Art and Mary Lou down in the country and know how much they appreciated their house on the hill with the beautiful view of the Meramec. Rest in peace Art.
Kevin Chumlea
February 22, 2021
In my years working with Art at Simon, he was always a gentleman and professional. I learned a lot from him and have nothing but fond memories. God speed.
Scott Mumphrey
February 22, 2021
So sorry to hear of Art’s passing. I worked with Art for many years at Simon and enjoyed a very good personal and professional relationship with him. Art, like the rest of his Simon coworkers worked hard and played hard so it was always a pleasure to be on project teams with him. After our retirement we lost touch as often happens, but I will always remember the times we spent together fondly. Rest In Peace Art.
Lee Wilhite
February 22, 2021
Mary Lou:
My heart goes out to you and the rest of the Spellmeyer family. Art was truly a one-of-a-kind individual and I felt privileged to have known him and been a friend. We enjoyed good times together at SPG, playing in the band, etc., and in later years reminiscing and laughing about all those times over beers. I was genuinely saddened to learn of his loss and truly regret we weren’t able to stay in touch with each other in his declining years. He will, nonetheless, always be remembered.
Barbara (Crnkovich) Lehmier
February 22, 2021
Mary Lou and family,
You have my deepest sympathy in your loss. Art was a true gentlemen in every sense of the word. Our paths would cross over the years and he always greeted me with a bright smile and a loving hug. I taught him to fast dance when he was a teenager and he often thanked me for doing this. His presence will be missed by many.
Gary Boerschig
February 22, 2021
God Bless the Family. Gary Boerschig Bayless Class of 1970
Steve & Lauren Underriter
February 22, 2021
Farewell roommate. Many memories. For Mary Lou and rest of the family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill Williamson
February 22, 2021
My deepest sympathy to his wife and family. As a frat brother a year older I had the privilege of watching Art blossom into a confident, funny human being. Four of us Sig EPs went to Hawaii one Spring Break at Mizzou and Art attracted all the ladies!! So sorry we lost touch through the years. RIP Brother Art. Sincerely, Springer
Judy o’Connor
February 22, 2021
Wonderful memories of our school children and Your time in Indy! We are very happy to have stayed in touch with the family through Facebook!
Mike and Judy O’Connor
Jim Napoli
February 22, 2021
Knowing and working with Art for a number of years was a true pleasure. We faced many obstacles while working on various projects together, but Art always found a way to find the humor in it. I couldn't have asked for a better working partner.
Robert Swift
February 22, 2021
AW, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Bob Swift
Mary Bennett
February 21, 2021
When we hear his name or see his photograph, we smile or we think of a humorous story that has grown more colorful over the decades, and we are just thankful that we were blessed with his friendship. May my good friend of many years be at peace.
Monty Corley
February 21, 2021
Glen Gaskill and I pledged Art to SigEp over summer rush. He became a great SigEp. A wonderful guy who I choose to remember as a bright eyed 19 year old full of energy and personality.
Jim Messner
February 21, 2021
Art, you were a great frat brother. Will always remember your nickname “pistol fists”and all the fun we Sig EPS had together. God bless you and your family.
Dennis and Pam Hopmann
February 21, 2021
Mary Lou and kids, We are so sorry for your loss. May God be with your family during this time. We will pray for all of you. It is a shame he suffered with such a terrible disease.
Herman Renfro
February 21, 2021
He was definitely “One of a Kind”. Lived in an orbit he created & shared it with anyone that was interested.
Wish I had known him better.
My life was so busy in those days. My 17 years at Simon went by so fast it was a blur.
Jim Lee, my office neighbor, and now two-doors-down Art have joined Melvin at the ICSC in the sky.
May he Rest In Peace.
Mike Lueken
February 21, 2021
Art was swift of foot and gallant in the outfield where every ball hit clearly had his name etched! Run Art run
Rod Macy
February 21, 2021
I enjoyed working with Art at Simon Property Group. He was always upbeat.
Bob LITTLE
February 20, 2021
Remembering you from May Co days. Always a person of good cheer, you will be missed by many
February 20, 2021
Art and I were close friends in high school I will never hear Yesterday without seeing Art sitting alone playing the guitar and singing.
Connie Hayes
February 20, 2021
My heart aches for the loss of my ring bearer at my wedding in 1956.
Dorothy Overbey
February 20, 2021
"I asked an elderly man once what it was like to be old and to know the majority of his life was behind him. He told me that he has been the same age his entire life. He said the voice inside of his head had never aged. He has always just been the same boy. His mother's son. He had always wondered when he would grow up and be an old man. He said he watched his body age and his faculties dull but the person he is inside never got tired. Never aged. Never changed.
Our spirits are eternal. Our souls are forever. The next time you encounter an elderly person, look at them and know they are still a child, just as you are still a child and children will always need love, attention and purpose."
Barb Graham Macino
February 20, 2021
I’m so sorry to hear this news. I was class of ‘67 and my brother Dave was class of ‘69. God bless Art.
Sixth Floor Elvis (Friday Night Practice) with Art, Back and Right!
Raymond Vanlanot
February 20, 2021
Just an additional picture of the Friday Night Practice!
Raymond Vanlanot
February 20, 2021
Just a delight to be around during the Friday Night Band practices in Indianapolis. He was so filled with life on and off the stage. I am filled with sorrow, but have enormous happiness having known him. He named my son, "Jumbo" not due to his size, but as another brother in music. Yes, Yes, I'm going to miss that guy! (words paraphrased courtesy of Lennon and McCartney)
Our thoughts go to his Family, Mary Lou, daughter and sons, Lauren, A.W. (Christie), Jordan (Devon), an all of his Frat Brothers, and Friends in Music!.
Man, you just moved up another step towards Rock Star!
With Love,
Ray and Patty Vanlanot
Barbara Patt Menner
February 20, 2021
Art always had a sweet nature about him. I know he had many struggles these past years for which I’m so sad that he had to go through these horrible diseases. RIP
Sandy Pijut Dolan
February 20, 2021
I was in Art's graduating class at Bayless in 1969. He was a nice and fun and friendly guy who made me at home in a new school in my junior year. Glad he had a successful life and so sorry it was cut short. RIP, Art!
Mary Alwes
February 20, 2021
My deepest sympathy to family and friends! So sorry for your loss.
Kathleen Taylor
February 20, 2021
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Linda Garcia
February 20, 2021
I met Art when we were around 3 or 4 and have been friends ever since. We have the same birthday and I always referred to him as my twin over the years. He will be missed by many and my heart goes out to Mary Lou and his family. I know you are at peace now and that helps the rest of us.
Deborah and Russ Washburn
February 20, 2021
Debbie loved visiting the Spellmeyer family every summer when they lived in Indy. We loved having Art back in town. Art, Russ and Paul Owoc spent many Wednesdays together volunteering at the JNM food pantry. They enjoyed helping others and ironically, lunch after volunteering. We will miss Art. Our love and support to Marylou and his special family.
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