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John R. Spence

Spence JohnJohn R. Spence, 94, of 945 West First Street, Oil City, passed away at 11:05 am, Friday, July 10, 2015, at Oakwood Heights, surrounded by his family.

Born March 8, 1921 in Oil City, he was a son of the late Russell and Viola Berlin Spence.

John attended Oil City area schools.

He was employed as an Oil City policeman, worked as a salesman, and retired as a jury commissioner for Venango County.

John enlisted in 1940 in the US Army and served overseas from February 1941 to June 1945 during WWII, and was the last surviving member of the HELLCATS 805 of Oil City.

Mr. Spence was a longtime member of Calvary United Methodist Church where he was an usher and sang in the choir.

He was a member of Petrolia Lodge #363 F&AM for 67 years, the Venango Lodge of Perfection and New Castle Consistory. He also belonged to the Acacia Grotto, the American Legion and was a life member of VFW Post 464.

John was a Past Chairman of the Venango County Democratic Party.

He was married to the former Mary Jane Miller, who preceded him in death.

John is survived by four daughters, Bonnie Spence, Linda Stine and her husband Kenneth, Jacqueline Hargenrader, and Marjorie Schwab and her husband Eugene, all of Oil City; a son, John R. Spence III of Oil City; a brother, William Spence and his wife Ruth of Fertigs; and three sisters, Helen Paup of Venus, Jane Spence of Ohio, and Judy Stevens and her husband Herbert of Texas.

He is also survived by three grandchildren, Kurtis Hargenrader and his wife Missy, Eugene Hargenrader and his wife Michelle, and Melissa Singleton and her husband Jeff, all of Oil City; six great grandchildren, Alex, Hannah, Tanner, and Lily Hargenrader, and Gracie and Spence Singleton; six sisters-in-law, Donna Whitton, Alice Miller, and Betty, Beatrice, Barb, and Margaret Spence; a brother-in-law, H. Tim Perry; a beloved dog Benson; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Eugene Hargenrader; four brothers, Richard, Dean, Sam, and Robert; a sister, Patricia Johnson; a granddaughter, Melody Gregory; and a brother-in-law, William Miller, who served with John in WWII.

Friends may call at the Morrison Funeral Home on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm and again on Tuesday from 10 to 11 am.

Funeral services will be held in the funeral home at 11 am Tuesday with Rev. Don Rudge, officiating.

Interment will be in the Brandon Cemetery with Full Military Honors accorded by the VETS Honor Guard.

Memorials in John’s name may be made to Calvary United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to Morrison Funeral Home.

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