Lyda Jane Spieler

Lyda Jane Spieler, 84, of California, MO passed away Saturday, July 26, 2014 at St. Mary's Health Center, Jefferson City, MO. Jane was born March 18, 1930 on her family's farm on Route T, southeast of California, the daughter of David and Mabel (Howlett) Volkart, who preceded her in death. She attended Pluck School near her home through eighth grade and graduated from California High School in 1948. On October 28, 1951, Jane was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Richard "Dick" Spieler, who survives of the home. After high school, Jane worked at California Manufacturing as a sewing machine operator, bookkeeper at Farmers & Traders Bank, sewed ham sacks at Burger's Smokehouse, and helped start the family business, Spieler's Inc., in 1968. She taught four year-old Playschool at the United Church of Christ for 19 years. Her life's work and greatest joy was being a homemaker, raising her three children, and taking care of and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jane and her husband enjoyed many years traveling the state of Missouri and spending winters in Arizona in their RV. Dick and Jane celebrated holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions with four other couples who have remained friends for over 50 years. Jane was a member of the Extensionette Club for over 55 years. She was a very active member of the United Church of Christ of California, attending Sunday School, Prayer Cell, and Women's Guild. She had a strong Christian faith and read her Bible and devotional each day. In addition to her husband, Jane is survived by three children, Dana (Wes) Wilber of South Lebanon, OH, Kim (Roberta) Spieler, and Cinda (Alan) Scheidt of California, MO; ten grandchildren, Shawn (Angie) Gabert of Cincinatti, OH, Kristen (Seth) Everett of California, Aaron (Ashley) Spieler of Lake Ozark, Lisa (James) Milligan of California, Abby Spieler of Wichita, KS, Katelyn, Jacob, and Daniel Buschjost of California, James (Rebecca) Wilber and Jean Ellen Martin all of Oklahoma City, OK; six great-grandchildren, Katie and Nathan Gabert, Hadley and Logan Milligan, Royce Everett, and Ella Spieler; one sister, Doris (Lloyd) Fulks of California; and three sisters-in-law, Marthann Buck of St. Louis, MO, Verna Volkart, California, MO and Audrey Spieler of Columbia, MO. She was preceded in death by one infant son, Stephen; brothers Clarence, Dean, and Brooks Volkart; and sister Betty Mosley. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, July 30 at 10:00am at the California United Church of Christ. Memorials are suggested to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri or the donor's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Phillips Funeral Home, California. Online condolences may be left at Phillipsfuneralhomecalifornia.com