White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Craig Allen Spece, of Independence, Iowa, entered into eternal life with his Lord on Thursday, August 9, 2012, at the age of 62 years.  He died peacefully at home after fighting a brave battle with cancer.  He was born on January 12, 1950, in Independence, Iowa, the son of Vernon Keith and Florence Darlene (Masters) Spece.  He graduated from high school in Independence with the Class of 1968 and then attended Hawkeye Technical Institute in Waterloo, Iowa.  On July 7, 1973, he and the former Julie Kay Sweat were married at the First United Methodist Church in Independence where Craig was a life time member.

Craig was an active member of the Independence Lions Club since joining in 1998.  He was honored with the Lion of the Year award in 2009 for outstanding service, loyalty, and devotion to Lionism.  He was President of the club in 2010 and received the Bud Freeman Outstanding President’s Award. He recently was the recipient of a Melvin Jones Fellowship for dedicated humanitarian services from the Lions Club International Foundation.

Craig was also an active member of the Buchanan County Historical Society and served on the Board of Directors.  He was very dedicated to preserving the Wapsipinicon Mill and participated in many events to raise funds for its roof repair.

Craig grew up on a farm near Independence and worked at Rowley Equipment near Rowley, Iowa, for 37 years.  He was an avid “John Deere Guy” since birth.  He enjoyed volunteering his time to drive equipment in the Independence 4^th of July parade.

He loved being outdoors and one of his favorite activities was riding his ATV with family and friends.

Craig is survived by his wife, Julie, 1 daughter, Carissa (Andy) Crump of Independence and 1 grandson, Drew Craig Crump.  He is also survived by 1 brother, Larry Spece of Independence, 1 sister, Diana (Roger) Bagg of Rowley, 1 brother-in-law, Ron (Lou Ann) Beck of Oelwein, and 3 sisters-in-law, Liza Moreno and Nancy Beck, both of Rock Island, Illinois, and Ruth (Roger) Lynn of Independence.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters-in-law, Penny Spece and Mary Benton, and 2 brothers-in-law, John Beck, Sr., and Proco Moreno.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 13, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church in Independence with Rev. Scott Meador officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 1:00 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 12^th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence.