Wilmer Robert "Bob" Spanjer, Jr.

Wilmer Robert “Bob” Spanjer Jr. Longtime resident of Cheney and our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather peacefully passed away on Dec. 4, 2011, at his home near Cheney, Wash., after a courageous fight with cancer. He was 76. Bob was born Jan. 29, 1935, in Ellensburg, Wash., to Wilmer and Jane Spanjer. He graduated from Cheney High School in 1953. After high school, Bob served in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He met Marlene Helm in 1953, and they were married on July 31, 1955, in Cheney. They have been inseparable ever since. Bob graduated from Eastern Washington State College in Cheney with a Bachelor of Arts in business. For much of the 1960s and ‘70s, he was a partner in the John Deere dealership, Sprague Equipment Co. in Sprague, Wash., and Wheatland Equipment Co., in Ritzville, Wash. Later on, he was the credit manager of Bower Machinery Co. in Spokane. Throughout those years, he made lasting friendships with farmers and ranchers around the Palouse region. Bob is survived by Marlene, his wife of 56 years; their children Raymond (Pat) of Cheney; Ronald (Shirley) of Blaine, Wash.; Gregory (Diane) of Bothell, Wash.; Laura Sell (Kevin) and Lynda Tschabold (Max) of Spokane; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Earle Simmons (Rena), and two sisters, Jackie Simmons and Frances Heng (Don). Bob and Marlene enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada, living the rural life, and making real estate improvements. Through experience, Bob became skilled in home repair and improvement, and mechanical repairs, and his family members always knew they could count on him to share those skills when needed. Bob and Marlene recently acquired a vacation home in Thompson Falls, Mont., where they made many joyful memories, boating on the Clark Fork River or watching it peacefully flow by. Bob loved life, family, and friends, and those who loved him will miss his big heart, laughter, positive outlook, and bright smile. Special thanks to the staff at Rockwood Oncology, Beth with Horizon Hospice, and all his friends in the Cheney/Sprague area for their prayers. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church in Sprague, Wa. or the Bladder Cancer Association, 399 1/2 Main St., Suite 2B, Dalton, MA 01226-1612. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, at Cheney Funeral Chapel followed by burial at Spokane Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Wilmer Robert "Bob" Spanjer, Jr.

January 29, 1935 - December 4, 2011