Walter James Spitzengel, 75, of Centralia passed away Monday, November 30, 2020 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. Walter was in the Marine Corps in his younger years. He was also an Eagle Scout. He was also a member of the Children of Pearl Harbor Survivors and took part in Rolling Thunder. He enjoyed a number of hobbies including wood working, fishing, painting, and beading bracelets and necklaces. He was a kind, caring, and sharing soul. He and his wife took in nine children during the Flood of ‘94 in Kansas City. He was an avid talker and story teller and often jumped from one story to another without even finishing the first. He was a good Christian man and was a member of Calumet Street Christian Church. He also was a member of Carpenters for Christ. Walt’s last instructions for Vickie was to “Tell everyone I am going to see Jesus now. I love you all and will see you all when you come to see Jesus too.”
Per Walter Spitzengel’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and no public services will be held at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Family and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Spitzengel Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook Page.
He married Vickie Lynn LaBelle on June 2, 1973 and she survives him in Centralia. In addition to his wife of 47 years Vickie Lynn Spitzengel formally of Kansas City, KS, Walter is survived by one son: Terry James Spitzengel of Kansas City, KS; one daughter: Jeannie Scott and husband Timothy of Kansas City, KS; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother: Bruce James Spitzengel and wife Jo Ann of Sugarland, TX; one sister: Dionna Stoll and former spouse Jim Stoll of Kansas City, KS; special aunts, uncles, and cousins: Linda Garretson and husband Jerry of Bluesprings, MO, Jeannine Marcus and husband Gerald Sr. of Hermitage, MO, and Sheri Parson and husband Steve of TX; nineteen nephew and great-nephews; and twelve nieces and great-nieces.
Walter was born September 8, 1945 in Seattle, Washington, the son of Donald James Spitzengel and Marjorie Undine (LaVelle) Spitzengel. Walter was preceded in death by his parents: Donald and Marjorie Spitzengel; grandparents: Lina and Lest Scherman; two nephews: David Stoll and Robert Peebles Jr.; his mother and father-in-law: Betty and John Delson LaBelle; grandparents-in-law: John and Etta LaBelle; one sister-in-law: Suzette LaBelle; one brother-in-law Melvin Jay LaBelle; and one cousin: Gerald Marcus Jr.
