Roger Gary Spangenberg, 20, student, attempted to save Cecil L. Callender and James W. Routson from suffocation, Pittsfield, Illinois, July 19, 1963. (See case of JAMES W. ROUTSON.)
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Obituary
Roger Gary Spangenberg, 81, of rural Murrayville, IL passed away peacefully with his wife by his side at The Grove in Jacksonville on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
He was born January 21, 1943, in Pittsfield, IL, the son of Jack and Jane Williams Spangenberg. He married Nancy Heaton on October 21, 1962, in Woodson, IL and she survives.
He is also survived by three daughters, Sheryl (husband David) Roberts of Winchester, Sonya (husband Ole) Stevens of Libertyville, and Shelly Black of Denver, CO; seven grandchildren, Nolan Roberts, Allison (husband Alex) Rounds, Melissa Roberts (Brent Long), Justin Stevens, Sean Stevens, Finley Black, Dash Black; one great grandson, Hendrix Long; three siblings, Greg (wife Dona) Spangenberg of Boise, ID, Jaclyn (husband Ron) Farmer of Jacksonville, and Jill (husband Joel) Parker of Aurora, CO; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Gary attended elementary school in Pittsfield and Jacksonville and graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1961. He later graduated from Western Illinois University in 1965 and received his master’s degree in athletic administration from Indiana State University in 1968. As a young man, he received acclaim for his football prowess in high school and college.
He began a distinguished teaching and coaching career at JHS in 1965. For 39 years, Gary touched the lives of many young people through his classes in physical education, health and driver’s education. He coached at all levels including varsity football, basketball involving his work as an assistant to Richard “Itchy” Jones and Frank Long, and varsity baseball. He was proud of his years at Turner Junior High where he established a health program and coached girl’s basketball. He also served as the JHS Athletic Director for six years.
Gary also taught for several years at Illinois College preparing students for a career in education. He spent many years as an IHSA and college referee in football, basketball, baseball, wrestling and softball. He also played fast-pitch softball with the Jacksonville Redlegs for a number of years. He especially enjoyed playing golf with friends. In recognition of his athletic ability and the many years associated with the athletic department at JHS, he was named to the Jacksonville High School Sports Hall of Fame.
In 1963, Gary was awarded the Carnegie Medal for Heroism for his unselfish attempt to rescue a friend from a well. An outdoorsman, Gary enjoyed big game hunting, especially his adventures in Alaska, and his many fishing trips to Alaska, Canada, and the Great Lakes. He possessed a private pilot license and enjoyed flying his Cessna plane. He was a member of the Jacksonville Elks Lodge.
A life-long member of Central Christian Church, Gary formerly taught Sunday School, assisted with youth activities, and served on various committees and served as an Elder. In keeping with his commitment to serve others, he gifted his brain to Washington University School of Medicine to assist with research of Parkinson’s Disease.