Earl Clyde Spohr, 89, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 10:02 am October 17, 2020 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois. After graduating from Eastern High School he enlisted in the United States Air Force, beginning a thirty-one year career. He retired in 1981 as a Chief Master Sergeant. His career took him to many place both in the United States and overseas. He was awarded two bronze star medals, two meritorious service medals, three air force commendation medals, plus sixteen other awards and decorations. Earl came to Mount Vernon and began serving on various committees, boards, and commissions in National, State, and Local Groups. He was Mayor of Woodlawn, and was a member of the Elks Club, Crosswalk Community Action Agency, several Masonic Boards and was Master of the Masonic Lodge, Royal Arch Masons, member of the Scottish Rite, Ainad Shrine Temple, and was past President of Jefferson County Shrine Club. He volunteered for many years at Crossroads and later Good Samaritan Hospitals. He was a past State Coordinator for AARP, Past Director of Illinois Senior Citizens Committee, Past President of Jefferson County Historical Society, Past Chairman of Illinois Diabetes Association, Past President of Southern Illinois Heart Association, Past Deputy Director of Illinois AARP, member of Centralia Cultural Society, member of the Air Force Association, member of Smithsonian Institute, member of the Air Force Museum Foundation.
A Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2020 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Interment will be held in Norman, Oklahoma with Full Military Rites. Please remember to observe social distancing at this time. We are limited to 50 people in our building at a time. Following the CDC and NFDA regulations, we encourage everyone to wear a mask in the facility. They will be made available, upon request. Call Newell Funeral Home – Mount Vernon 618-246-0100 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.
Earl is survived by step daughter, Neta Sue Eidson of Norman, Oklahoma; nieces, Toni Holmes and Jennifer Latterel; and special friend, Victoria Garofolo of Mount Vernon, Illinois.
He was born January 15, 1931 Washington D.C. to the late Earl C. and Helen Ruth (Foster) Spohr Sr. On June 19, 1962 he married Gloria Sue McKinney in Virginia, and she served with him in his career. She preceded him in death in July 2009. He was preceded in death by both parents; sister, Mary Lou Beach; brother, Edward Spohr; and son-in-law, Tony Eidson.
