Tony L. Spiker

Tony L. Spiker, age 78, of Oquawka, Illinois, passed away at 1:40 P.M. on Wednesday, September 6, 2018 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. He was born on January 25, 1940 in Lomax, Illinois, the son of Vilas Vernon and Sylvia (Williams) Spiker. Tony was raised in the Dallas City/Lomax, Illinois area and attended school there. He proudly served his Country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. For a short time, Tony trained Tennessee Walker horses in Colorado before returning to Illinois. On July 6, 1972, Tony married Darlene Kay Nelson at the First United Methodist Church in Oquawka, Illinois and she preceded him in death on March 23, 2014. He retired in 1995, after a twenty-five year career at General Electric in Burlington, Iowa. Tony had previously worked as a farmer and truck driver. He enjoyed raising homing pigeons and was an avid gardener; growing vegetables. He was a member of the Oquawka Masonic Lodge #123. Tony is survived by two daughters; Michelle Gary Bergren) Aman of Kewanee, IL and Tonya Martens of Cambridge, IL, two sons; Tony L. Spiker II of Keithsburg, IL and Jefferey A. (Deena Adams) Spiker of Aledo, IL, thirteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many brothers and sisters. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Darlene, one son, James, one sister, and two brothers. A funeral service is planned for 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, Illinois. Visitation is planned from 11:00 A.M.-12:45 P.M. prior to the service at the funeral home. A Masonic Service will begin at 12:45 P.M. Interment with Military Honors will be at the Oquawka Cemetery. A memorial fund is being established for an educational fund for Tony's great-grandchildren.