Virgil D. Spellman

Virgil D. Spellman, 83, of Kearney passed away July 17, 2026 at Mother Hull Home in Kearney. A funeral mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2026 at St. James Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Kearney Cemetery. The family will receive friends 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday at the church followed by a 6:00 p.m. Vigil/Prayer service. Virgil was born on April 19, 1943, in Albin, Wyoming, to William and Marcella Spellman. One of five children, he grew up with brothers Carl, Stanley, and Richard and sister Marvel Ann. His father worked in railroad maintenance, and the family later moved to central Nebraska, where Virgil graduated from Amherst High School. A car enthusiast from a young age, Virgil loved telling stories about rebuilding the transmission in his 1940 Ford just in time to race from Amherst to Kearney for a date with his future wife, Linda Richter. Virgil and Linda were married on March 20, 1965, at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney. Virgil served in United States Army and was stationed in Newport News, Virginia, where he and Linda welcomed their first child, Annette. Following his military service, the family returned to Kearney, where Robby was born in 1968, Angela in 1970, and Michael in 1975. The family made their home on a small acreage north of Kearney. Though he spent most of his life in Nebraska, Virgil always considered himself a Wyoming boy at heart. He could ride a horse, shoot a gun, enjoy a glass of whiskey, and still maintain his trademark dapper appearance. Virgil devoted more than three decades to GTE as a telephone installer and repairman. He and Linda were active members of St. James Catholic Church and dedicated supporters of the Kearney community. Family was always their greatest priority. Together they made sacrifices to ensure all four of their children attended Kearney Catholic High School, rarely missing school events or athletic competitions. They also devoted many years to Marriage Encounter, helping strengthen Catholic marriages. Gifted mechanically, Virgil could fix nearly anything. He cared for the family acreage, kept vehicles running, and faithfully maintained the cars of all four children no matter how difficult the kids made that task. In 1991, Virgil and Linda faced the greatest challenge of their lives when Linda was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. She passed away on February 22, 1992, and Virgil often said he never truly recovered from losing the love of his life. On June 18, 1993, Virgil married Judith Billings, whom he met through a grieving spouses support group. Together they enjoyed volunteering in the community, visiting care homes with their beloved Bichon Frise, Bengi, and serving through the Agency on Aging. Judy passed away from pancreatic cancer on December 30, 2004. Throughout the years, neighbors Kurt and Linda Johnson and their family became treasured friends whose kindness and support meant so much to him. Virgil remained independent well into his final years. In recent years he endured unimaginable loss with the deaths of his son, Robby, in 2023, and daughters Annette and Angela in 2024. Virgil was preceded in death by his wives, Linda and Judy; his children Annette, Robby, and Angela; his parents; his four siblings; his parents-in-law; brothers- and sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews. He is survived by his son, Michael; daughters-in-law Jennifer Spellman, Chris Spellman; sons-in-law Jeff Amos and Joe Goellner. Grandchildren Andrew Spellman, Cale Spellman, Sydney Spellman, Breanna MacKenzie, Garrett Amos, Morgan Spellman, Gage Spellman, Grayson Spellman five great-grandchildren; and many extended family members.

Virgil D. Spellman

April 19, 1943 - July 17, 2026