Arliss Adele Spencer

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Arliss Adele Spencer, 89, of Rockville died on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at Vermillion Convalescent Center in Clinton. She was a retired school teacher.

She was born Nov. 20, 1920 in Chadwick, Ill. to the late Ralph Clarence Anderson and Florence Naniga Anderson. Her husband of 48 years, Meryl Eugene Spencer, whom she married May 28, 1939 in Dubuque, Iowa, preceded her in death June 17, 1987.

She was a longtime member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church and taught many Sunday school classes. She enjoyed story time with the children at church. She received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Indiana State College in 1959 and a master of science from the same in 1964.

She taught in Rockville Elementary School from 1952 to 1955, Stockton Elementary School from 1955 to 1958 and Bainbridge Elementary School from 1968 until retirement in July 1982.

After retiring, always remaining active, she tutored, worked in Vi's Café in Hollandsburg and Bellmore Country Store.

Survivors include one daughter, Sheryl Michael and husband Bill of Rockville; one son, David Spencer of Rockville; two sisters, Beth Peterson and Carol Erickson, both of Sandwich, Ill; seven grandchildren, Mark Vanderheyden of Rockville, Brian Vanderheyden and wife Blair of Nashville, Tenn., Lianna Willhite and husband Andy of Rockville, April Lear of Rockville, DuWayne Spencer of Springfield, Mo., Inga Bartlett and husband Rex of Apollo Beach, Fla., Annettra Newlin of Rockville; 12 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; one niece; and several nephews.

She was also preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, George Peterson and Les Erickson.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Gooch Funeral Home, 112 West Howard St., Rockville with Pastor J Daeschner officiating. Burial will follow services in Memory Garden Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions, if friends so desire, may be made in her honor to Otterbein United Methodist Church, 2526 South St. Rd. 59, Rockville, IN 47872.

Friends may sign an online guest register at www.goochfuneralhome.com.