White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

INDEPENDENCE – Virgil L. Spece, 90 years old, of Independence, IA, died of natural causes, Friday, December 1, 2023 at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.

Memorial Services will be 1:30 p.m. – Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Oelwein, IA. Inurnment will be in The Cremation Garden at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.

Virgil Leroy Spece was born July 12, 1933, in Independence, IA, the son of Lee Willis and Irene Charlotte (Rider) Spece. He went to school in Independence and graduated high school with the class of 1951. On March 20, 1964, he was united in marriage to his lovely wife JoAnne Snyder. One son, Travis, was born to this union in 1966. Virgil was a lifelong resident of Independence, and he worked as a plumber all his life. He owned and operated Spece Plumbing and Heating in Independence and was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Oelwein, IA. He was instrumental in acquiring property the Independence Kingdom Hall was built on, and for a time served as an elder in that congregation. He loved his God, Jehovah, and put his trust in the resurrection and the promise of paradise.

Virgil was a family man. If he wasn't working, he was with his wife and son. People would say that if they saw Virgil's family, they knew he would be right behind them. He enjoyed ice fishing with his favorite fishing partner, his wife, who often out fished him. They went to many auctions and flea markets over the years, and the only time he missed a circuit assembly or regional convention was when he was in the hospital during his heart surgery.  Virgil would work on many brothers' homes and many different Kingdom Halls. He was well known for his volunteer work, and he loved every minute of it. He regularly went for coffee at a favorite restaurant and often engaged in informal witnessing and enjoyed the conversations that would arise. He had many friends and will be missed by all.

Virgil is survived by one son, Travis (Jennette) Spece of Bonaparte, IA, and nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, JoAnne in 2008; and three sisters, Shirley Johnson, Phyllis Claypool, and Carolyn Versluis.

Memorials may be directed to the family.
Condolences may be placed at White-MtHope.com
White Funeral Home, Independence, IA, is in charge of the arrangements.