Grace E. Spillman, age 82, of Marion, went to be with the Lord early on Friday morning, May 27, 2011, at the Community Healthcare Center surrounded by her loving family.
On June 23, 1928, Grace was born in Claridon Township of Marion County, one of four children of the late Seymour and Helen (Gay) Bibbee. She was raised in Marion and graduated from Marion Harding High School in the Class of 1946.
Shortly following high school, Grace married her loving husband, Jesse Spillman, on December 10, 1949. Together they raised five children and shared over forty eight years of marriage. He preceded her in death on April 24, 1998.
In her younger years, Grace worked on the assembly line at Quaker Oats, until she decided it was time to follow her heart and start her own catering business. In 1969, she started A1 Catering Service in Marion to everyone’s delight as she was an “awesome cook!” For over twenty years, she loved everything about catering, most especially “spending time with people.”
A woman of faith, Grace was a member of the First Church of the Brethren in Marion.
After Jesse retired from Quaker Oats, he and Grace decided to move to Lakeview on Indian Lake, where they became members of the Eagles Lodge #3615, and the Moose Lodge #1533. They also loved traveling as often as they could, and enjoyed going wherever their son, John, was serving in the military, such as South Dakota and even Germany. After Jesse’s passing, Grace decided to return to Marion to be nearer to her children and grandchildren.
With a love for collecting bells and china, Grace found things to add to her collection all over the world and it also made it easy to shop for her for birthdays and holidays.
There was one rule in Grace’s house that applied to everyone, “no one ever left her house hungry.” She made sure everyone was welcome, any day and any time, and she would make whatever each person’s favorite meal was they wanted. She truly loved everyone and was described as simply a “stellar person!”
Grace will be dearly missed by her four children: Linda Spillman Kear of Marion, Helen (“Spark”) Spillman of Russells Point, Ohio, James (Betty) Spillman of Marion, and Retired Master Sergeant John (Brenda) Spillman of Tucson, Arizona; a daughter-in-law, Charlene Spillman of Marion; eight grandchildren: Rick (Lorie) Kear of Marion, Brandy Spillman of Marion, Paul Spillman of Gilbert, Arizona, Scott (Jennifer) Baker of Marion, Ronald (Julie) Price of Ansonia, Ohio, Jeremy (Lupe) Spillman of Avondale, Arizona, Eric (Julie) Baker of South Dakota, Sarah (David) Bates of Tucson, Arizona; sixteen great-grandchildren; a sister, Jeanne Kettnick of Tucson, Arizona; two sisters-in-law: Lillian (Earl) Tacket of Marion, and Joan Sanders of South Carolina; a close and special cousin, Pauline Reed of Columbus; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Including her husband and parents, Grace was preceded in death by her son, Larry Spillman; a granddaughter, Jessica Spillman-Fasnaugh; and two brothers: Lewis and James Bibbee.
The Spilllman family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services celebrating her life will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Prospect St., United Methodist Church, 185 S. Prospect St., Marion, with her nephew Pastor David Bibbee officiating. Burial will follow in Grand Prairie Cemetery.
Her family would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to the care staff of the Community Healthcare Center and Acclaim Hospice for their wonderful care of Grace and for making everyone feel like a part of their own family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Healthcare Center, c/o Activities Dept., or to Acclaim Hospice, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
For those wishing to express their private condolences to Grace’s family, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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