Dwight Spencer

Dwight Spencer, 79, of Rushsylvania, passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at his residence.

He was born on May 6, 1936 in Auglaize County, Ohio, a son of the late Stanley and Mary Ann (Gossard) Spencer. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Ferrell and Charles.

On June 29, 1957 in Allen County, Ohio, he married the former Rochella “Roxy” Williams and she survives along with children, Lynzetta (Mark) Leatherman of Bellefontaine, Jeff (Debbie) Spencer of Rushsylvania and Kimberly “Kim” (James) Bycynski of West Mansfield; grandchildren, Danielle, Landon, Curt, Alexa, Sydney, Lauren, Spencer; great-grandchildren, Lydia, Lane, Lance, Lacey, Preston, Whitney, Abigail, Annemarie, Sophia, Claire; sister, Shirley Campbell of Wapakoneta; brothers, Dale Spencer of Lakeview, Bob (Joyce) Spencer of Waynesfield; sisters-in-law, Louise Spencer of Bellefontaine, Janet Spencer of St. Mary’s and Beverley Straker of Rushsylvania; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and many close friends.

Dwight served 39 years in education as a coach, teacher, principal and superintendent. He was a graduate of the University of Findlay where he was a member of the Football and Baseball teams. Throughout his education career he worked for the following school districts, Cory-Rawson, St. Mary’s, Huntsville, Buckeye Local, Belle Center, Indian Lake and Benjamin Logan where he served as Superintendent while the new high school was being completed as well as when the Elementary and Middle School buildings were built and was instrumental in the layout of the current Benjamin Logan Campus.

He was an avid fan and supporter of Benjamin Logan Schools and athletics from its development and has also supported local youth teams and upcoming athletes in the area. Dwight was always humble and the first to say “I am only a part of this process and district. It has taken everyone involved in the community to develop this school system and the buildings we have”.

During his education endurance he organized and provided the “classroom in the sky” where Benjamin Logan 8th grade students were given the opportunity to fly with the assistance of other community pilots. He would always seize the opportunity to share the flying experience with all those that he could, but especially was proud of the time he spent with his son, Jeff. Dwight Spencer dearly loved his 1958 Cessna 172, call sign N3911F, which was based on his family farm near Rushsylvania, of which many local pilots learned to fly in this aircraft.

Dwight enjoyed the time he spent teaching driver’s education for many years. He was 2014 inductee to the Benjamin Logan Hall of Fame and had attended Calvary Baptist Church, Bellefontaine. He also enjoyed farming and saw value in raising his children around livestock and the farm life. Many may remember one of Dwight’s favorite quote “Forward ever, backward never”.

Pastor Jeffory Willetts will officiate a funeral service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2015 in Hangar 7-25 at the Bellefontaine Airport, St. Rt. 47 west of Bellefontaine. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 from 1 to 8 p.m. also at Hangar 7-25. Burial will be in Harper Cemetery in rural Bellefontaine.

Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, Bellefontaine, assisted the family with arrangements.

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