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Rodney Lee ‘Rod’ Spessert

Rodney Lee ‘Rod’ Spessert

Rodney Lee “Rod” Spessert, 70, a resident of Shavers Fork Road near Parsons, departed this life early Thursday morning, June 22, 2017, at his home, surrounded by his loving family and under the care of West Virginia Caring. He had been in declining health following a courageous battle with leukemia.

He was born June 6, 1947, at home on Location, St. George, a son of the late George William Spessert Jr. and Reva Faye Kisner.

In the summer of 1990, Rodney reconnected with an old high school friend, Martha J. Allender Brown Spessert, at their 25th high school reunion, and on June 29, 1991, they married at Mt. Carmel Church at Location.

Surviving are his loving wife, Martha J. Allender Brown Spessert of Shavers Fork Road; one son, William P. “Bill” Spessert of Elkins; two stepsons, Robert Brown and wife, Amber, of Charleston and Thomas Brown and wife, Tonya, of Salem, Virginia; five stepgrandchildren, Melissa Brown of Fairmont, Savanna Brown, Ruark Brown and Nadia Brown of Charleston and Conlan Brown of Salem, Virginia; two sisters, Rosalita Williams and husband, Denver, of Ballard and Rebecca Spessert of Location; and two brothers, Carl Spessert and wife, Janet, of Montrose and Tony Spessert and wife, Christina, of Connecticut.

Preceding him in death was an infant sister, Deborah.

Rodney loved spending his Saturdays at his farm and his Sundays at church. Born and raised on a farm, he was dedicated to raising cows and tending to his mules. Beef was what was always for dinner. He always spent the week of Thanksgiving hunting and any free time fishing. He was a member of the former Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church growing up and continued his faith at St. George United Methodist Church. Rod proudly served his country in the U.S Army during the Vietnam era. He always loved a good joke, westerns and the Mountaineers. A loving husband, wonderful father and extraordinary grandfather, he was hardworking and always provided for his family. Throughout his life, he worked at various sawmills and his last place of employment was the West Virginia Division of Highways.

The family will receive friends at Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons Sunday from 5-8 p.m. Final rites will be conducted at the funeral home Monday, June 26, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Brad Barton will officiate, and interment will follow in Parsons Family Cemetery at Shavers Fork, Kerens, where the West Virginia National Guard, Army Guard, H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion, Tygart Valley Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign War and Tucker County Veterans Association will conduct full military honors.

The family suggest that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the Rosenbaum Family House, P.O. Box 8228, Morgantown, WV 26506. Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Rodney Lee “Rod” Spessert. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.