Ruebin Spease

Ruebin Spease, age 86, of Lancaster, died on Sunday, July 25, 2010, at Orchard Manor Nursing Home, rural Lancaster. He was born on December 12, 1923, in Lancaster, the son of Theodore and Jenny (Lickel) Spease. Ruebin graduated from Lancaster High School in 1942. In 1944, he entered the United States Navy and served his country in the South Pacific until his honorable discharge in 1946. On June 10, 1947, Ruebin was united in marriage to Shirley Jeanne Wiedmann. To this union, three children were born, Steve, Gary and Patti. After their marriage, the couple farmed for seventeen years in South Lancaster Township. Ruebin was a truck driver for Haskins Gas & Oil for seventeen years, retiring in 1985. He continued to work part-time until the age of seventy. Ruebin was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church. He was an avid coon hunter, played euchre, and loved to hunt, fish and hunt morels. Ruebin and Shirley traveled extensively throughout the forty-eight states and Canada.

Survivors include his wife of sixty-three years, Shirley Spease, Lancaster; their children: Steve Spease, Stephenville, TX; Gary (JoAnne) Spease, Milwaukee; Patti (Ervin) Folz, Marshfield; three grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Ruebin was preceded in death by two grandsons and one great-granddaughter.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at 12:00 p.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster with Father William Seipp officiating. Burial with military honors was in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends called on Tuesday, July 26, 2010, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Lancaster, where a 3:45 p.m. prayer service will be held. Friends also called on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church.