Edmond Spence Jr.

Edmond Spence Jr., 83, of Fairport Harbor, Ohio passed away on Friday, December 29, 2017 after a long illness. He was born to the late Edmond and Erie Spence on November 12, 1934 in Stiltner, West Virginia.

Ed joined the U. S. Army in 1958 and quickly climbed the ranks to Sergeant before his honorable discharge in 1962.  He owned and operated Carpet Closeouts in Willowick, Ohio until it was time to retire and sold the business in 2003. He then decided to attain his CDL license and became a school bus driver for the Lake County Board of Development Disabilities/Deepwood, where he successfully completed 10 years of service with an honorable driving record.

Family was always first for Ed. He adored his wife Janet of 56 years and they stood by each other during the best and worst of times throughout the years. He participated in every aspect of his children’s lives from coaching baseball teams to trailering the horses around to the local shows and fairs so they could compete. He loved taking his family camping, fishing and vacationing in their motorhome. Ed was also a muscle car enthusiast. He enjoyed buying and selling unique classic cars and won numerous awards at local and regional car shows. Ed was especially fond of his granddaughter, Alexa. He was her number one fan and was always first to cheer her on.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Spence, whom he married October 3, 1961; son, David (Michelle Leicher); daughter, Dawn (Darius) Motiejunas; grandchild, Alexa; sisters, Pauline (John) Maynard, Ruby Chaney, Phyllis (Herb) Jordan, Della (David) Dunkle; Sue Howes and Diane Clay.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Edmond Sr. and Erie (McClellan) Spence; his sister Erma Napier; and his brothers-in-law Ray Rakes and Bud Chaney.

Funeral services will be on Sunday, January 7th at Spear Mulqueeny Funeral Home, 667 Mentor Avenue, Painesville, Ohio.  Family and friends may call 1:00–3:00pm and attend the service at 3:00 pm at the funeral home. His burial will take place on Monday, January 8th at 11:00am at the Mentor Municipal Cemetery, 6881 Hopkins Road, Mentor, Ohio, to which family and friends are also invited to attend.

Donations in Ed’s memory may be made to Crossroads Hospice, 9775 Rockside Road, Suite 270, Valley View, Ohio 44125.

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