Donald Spicer

Donald Lawrence Spicer, 94, of O'Neill, died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022 at Arbor Care Nursing Home in Neligh due to complications of Alzheimer's Disease.

Memorial visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 at Christ Lutheran Church in O'Neill.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 at the church in O'Neill. Rev. John Nelso will officiate.

Burial will be in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to the Christ Lutheran Church's Little Disciples Child Development Center in O'Neill.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of the arrangements.

Donald was born on Aug. 16, 1927 to Elmer "Lawrence" and Edith (Gamble) Spicer on their farmstead in Wessington, SD. In 1937, the family moved to the Elmer J. Spicer homestead farm. 

Actively involved in the church, his family extended the Wessington Presbyterian Church and the children were baptized there, becoming members. After 1937, the family attended an American Sunday School choir.

Don attended several schools in Beadle County, SD and the Berkshire and Brown Schools in Hand County, SD. His education was interrupted during World War II to help operate the farm while his two brothers served.  During that time, he enrolled in the American School of Correspondence Chicago to finish high school.In 1947, Don attended Wessington Junior College until 1950, then Greenville University in Greenville, IL from 1950-1952.  From 1952-1955, he completed his education at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY where he received his M. DN degree.

On Aug. 16, 1947, Don married Bethel Jean Orr. During their union, they conceived nine children, two of which only survived a few hours after birth: Jonathon and Hope. They were not childless though, Don and Bethel adopted four children â€" Debora joined them in 1954, followed by David in 1957, Danny in 1963 and Melody in 1965. Not only were they blessed with their children, they also fostered 96 children.

In 1948, Don and Bethel joined the Free Methodist Church and he was ordained in 1952. After graduating in 1955 from Asbury Seminary, Don was appointed to the Rapid City, SD Free Methodist Church.  The family then moved to Grand Forks where he helped design and build a church for the members there. He served other churches during his time in the ministry in Minneapolis, MN; Mason City, Iowa; Stillwater, OK; and Woodward, OK.

In 1982, Don was transferred to Bethany Free Methodist Church near the small village of Amelia until he retired in 1996. He returned to the ministry, this time serving the O’Neill Wesleyan Church for another six years before retiring officially on Dec. 1, 2002.  During his 43 years of active ministry, he was an active member in the area of Christian education program for the denomination.

Following a long and debilitating illness, his faithful and devout wife Bethel passed away on Aug. 27, 2001, just after their 54th wedding anniversary.  

On Dec. 25, 2002, Don got married a second time to his longtime friend, Mary Newland in Temecula, CA. Their union was cut short when Mary died on April 6, 2003. This prompted Don to move back to O’Neill where he bought a house. 

Upon his return, he befriended Elizabeth Ryding at the Golden Age Senior Center. Their friendship quickly developed into a companionship. Don asked for the blessing of her eldest son to take her hand in marriage, and they married on Jan. 1, 2006 by Elizabeth’s eldest son, Rev. John Ryding at Christ Lutheran Church. Elizabeth and Don made their home in O’Neill and attended both the Lutheran Church and Wesleyan Church in O’Neill, active in both congregations.

Don is survived by his wife of 16 years Elizabeth Ryding-Spicer of O’Neill; four children Debora Spicer of Wichita, KS, David (Robin) Spicer of Stillwater, OK, Danny (Stacy) Spicer of Woodward, OK, and Melody (Chuck) Halverson of Billings, MT; three stepchildren John (Kathryn) Ryding, David (Irene) Ryding and Marilyn (Peter J) Giammaria; one cousin Mary; nieces, nephews, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and one sister-in-law Ruth Spicer. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer "Lawrence" and Edith Spicer, two wives Bethel and Mary, one son Jonathon, one daughter Hope, two brothers Warren and Lyle Spicer, one sister Doris, one niece Gloria Spicer and seven unborn children.