- Date Of Birth: January 7, 1926
- Date Of Death: February 28, 2013
- State: Illinois
Erwin T. “Elmer” Spelich, 87, of LaSalle died February 28, (which was his mother’s birthday) at Illinois Valley Community Hospital.
Mr. Spelich was born on January 7, 1926 in LaSalle to Louis and Anna (Gorden) Spelich. His mother who was an ardent Notre Dame fan had intended to name her 6th child “Elmer” after Notre Dame coach Elmer Laydon. Upon getting his birth certificate before enlisting in the Army Air Corps he discovered that the midwife incorrectly recorded his name as “Erwin” not Elmer. In 1946 after returning home from service, an induction notice arrived for “Elmer”.
He went to the draft board to correct the error as he had already “been there done that!” In the Air Force he was a central Control Gunner on B-29’s and a Waist Control Togglelier on B-17’s from 1944-1946. He attained the Rank of Sergeant. He met his wife, Delores Udovic, at the Slovenian Dom in LaSalle at a polka dance. They were married on May 17, 1950 at Sacred Heart Church, Oglesby by Father Theodore Wujek. They’ve kept up their ethnic heritage visiting both parent’s villages in Slovenia and traveled throughout Europe.
They were daily walkers and danced at polka festivals all over the United States. Button Box Accordion was their favorite music. He could be heard with his exuberant shrill of “YAHOO!” as they whirled around the floor. He built numerous homes as an employee of Angelo Samania with every home having a unique front entrance design. He then formed his own general contracting business, Elmer Spelich General Contractor.
He was a member of Carpenters Union #195 for 67 years in the American Legion, the Slovenian Benefit Society-Lodge #2, the Slovenian Union of America, “the Golden Group”, President of the Oglesby Rotary and a member of the former St. Roch’s and Resurrection Parishes. He was an artistic, highly regarded superior craftsman, custom cabinetmaker, custom home designer who loved woodworking. With his brother, Louis, he made the local Garzenelli’s Bar in Oglesby plus many more in the area. He was a diehard Cubs fan and an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing in Minnesota, hunting, traveling with his family out west, especially to Las Vegas; loved hiking in the mountains, enjoyed yard work, gardening and raising his beautiful flowers.
He is survived by his family; wife, Delores Udovic Spelich; two children, Brian (Cindy) Spelich of Oglesby and Lynn (Freeman) Wilkirson of Marietta, GA; a granddaughter, Janelle Spelich of Bloomington; a granddog, Bayley; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, along with four brothers, Louis, John, George and Charles Spelich and two sisters, Ann Hotko and Betty Brate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice.
