Lee E. Spencer

Lee Edward Spencer of Pinnacle, NC, formerly of Kinsman, passed away on July 20, 2023, at 3:56 a.m. in Northern Regional Hospital in Mt. Airy, NC. He was 87 years old.

Lee was born in Martin, KY, on January 10, 1936, the son of the late Lee and Nannie Daniels Spencer.

He Moved to the Ohio Valley during childhood and attended Vinton School. Lee left school at age 17 to enlist in the Marines during the Korean War where he earned his GED.

Following his 7 years in the Marines, Mr. Spencer proudly served an additional 13 years in the United States Navy. He was stationed at Camp LeJeune during his first 3 years then assigned to a Navy carrier for mechanical support for a year. Following this he was then assigned to the US Ambassador at the Embassy in Madrid, Spain from 1957-1960.

While in the Navy, he was stationed at both the Norfolk and Portsmouth, VA shipyards and assigned to several different aircraft carrier ships for 6-month tours in the Mediterranean including the USS Independence and USS Ticonderoga as a Mechanic’s Mate from 1960-1969. He came off the water in 1969 and was transferred to Warren, OH as a Navy Recruiter where he and family settled in rural northern Trumbull County. Lee retired from the military as an E9 and a Mechanic’s Mate First Class in 1973. Following the military, he worked for Ohio Edison until his retirement in 1992.

In his spare time, Lee enjoyed watching old Western’s, playing cards, and building model cars. Also going on car rides or sitting back drinking coffee while talking to his family on the phone were the simple things that meant a lot to him.

He is survived by his daughters, Anna Spencer Fetchko Martin of Blairsville, GA, and Deborah Spencer of Niles; sons, Kenneth Spencer Sr., of Stow, and Stanley (Sabrina) Bartkowiak IV of Wolcott, CT; sisters, LaVonda Spencer Jeffers of Graham, WA, and Velma Spencer Coleman of Bidwell; a brother, Daniel K. Spencer of Wellston; grandchildren, George (Danielle) Fetchko of Rotterdam NY, Ariel (John Mohr) Fetchko of Niles, Brittany (Nathanael) Waldinger of Girard, Kenneth (Amy) Spencer, Jr of Canfield, Sincere Pough of Struthers, Bryce Spencer of Niles, Justice Spencer of Warren, Stanley Bartkowiak V., Aspen Bartkowiak, and Saffron Bartkowiak of Wolcott, CT; and 6 great-grandchildren, Claire and Conner Fetchko of Rotterdam, NY, Aiden and Paisley Mohr of Salem; Logan Waldinger of Girard, Ozzy Spencer of Canfield, and Nolan Spencer of Struthers.

In addition to his parents, Lee was preceded in death by his first wife of 13 years, Judith Ann Hopkins Spencer who passed in 1976; his second wife of 25 years, Dorothy Ann Edwards Bartkowiak Spencer who passed in 2020; and his siblings, John, Sherwood, Robert, and Adrian Spencer, and Joyce Seybold.

Friends and family may view the obituary and send condolences to www.NicholasFuneralHome.com

The family would especially like to thank Tommye Cooke, Pfafftown, NC for all her care and assistance. She went above and beyond in helping him (and us) to remain in his home with dignity and quality of life with providing care and friendship this past year and a half. They developed a deep friendship despite his refusals to accept any help in the beginning. He knew he could depend on her to be there and help him whenever his daughters couldn't (and assist and provide respite if needed when they were). She became a part of our family and we will be forever grateful  to "Tonto".

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in Lee’s memory.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with military honors being rendered at 11:00 a.m.

A funeral service will follow military honors at the funeral home.

Inurnment will take place at Niles City Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Wm Nicholas Funeral Home & Cremation Services 614 Warren Ave. Niles, OH 44446.