Dale Eugene Spiker, age 79

Dale Eugene Spiker, age 79, of Wheeler, Illinois, passed away at 11:41 PM - Sunday, April 16, 2017, at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM – Friday, April 21, 2017, at the Latona Church of Christ in Latona, Illinois, with Nate Hagen officiating.  Burial will be in the Wheeler Cemetery in Wheeler, Illinois, with full military rites by the Jasper Post #20 American Legion.  Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 PM – Thursday, April 20, 2017, at the church.  All friends and neighbors are encouraged to be a part of the funeral procession with their tractor whether it be old or new.  In loving memory of Dale, memorials may be made to the Latona Church of Christ 9003 North 325 ^th Street Wheeler, Illinois 62479.  Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois.

Dale was born on November 22, 1937, in Coles County, Illinois, the son of Clifford and Genelle (Wilson) Spiker.  He married Helen Olive Dague on July 27, 1958, at the Hugo Church in Hugo, Illinois, and she preceded him in death on August 24, 2008.

Dale graduate from Newton Community High School in 1955.  After high school he served his county in United States Army from June 29, 1956, until his honorable discharge on March 30, 1959.

Dale was a lifelong farmer.  He was a member of the Latona Church of Christ, Jasper County Pork Producers and Jasper County Farm Bureau.   He enjoyed tractor pulling for many years, mushroom hunting, reading westerns, watching NASCAR and riding his 4 Wheeler to the Lis elevator every day to visit.

Dale is survived by: Daughters – Kathy (Roy) Davis of Martins Ferry, Ohio and Jill (Bill) Burrows of Flushing, Ohio
Grandchildren – Jeremy (Jamie) Davis of Newton, Illinois; Shannon (Josh) Ernest of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Delaney Heal of Wheeler, Illinois; Adam Woods of Waynesville, Missouri; David Rueter of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Ridge Davis of Olney, Illinois 6 Great Grandchildren
Brothers – Jim (Marcie) Spiker of Wisconsin and Don (Glenda) Spiker of Wheeler, Illinois
Sister – Joyce (Jim) Schafer of Newton, Illinois

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister Dorothy (Norman) Bower.