Dr. James Allen Spelich

Dr. James Allen Spelich, 82, of Peru, passed away in OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria on November 15, 2023 after an extended illness.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 AM Monday in St. Joseph’s Church in Peru with Rev. J.A. Small officiating.  Burial will be in Peru City Cemetery with full military services conducted by the Peru Veterans Memorial Group.  Visitation will be in the church on Monday from 9:00 AM until time of services.  The Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle is entrusted with Dr. Spelich’s funeral services.

Dr. Spelich was born in La Salle on March 11, 1941 to Louis and Mary (Klopcic) Spelich.  He married Janice Adrian on June 15, 1963.

He was a 1959 graduate of La Salle-Peru Township where he played football and acted in school plays.  He graduated from Dental School at the University of Illinois.  He served with the United States Navy as an officer and a dentist. He practiced dentistry in Oglesby for over 43 years.

Dr. Spelich was a member of St. Joseph’s Church and Ottawa Art League.  He was past president and board member of La Salle-Peru Township High School for many years. He enjoyed photographing and painting, where his art was display at University of Illinois Alumni Hall.  He was an avid reader and loved his family, including 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Dr. Spelich is survived by his wife Janice of Peru; five children Peggy (Dr. Mark) Nelson of LaPorte, IN, Michelle (Rick) Cinotto of Peru, Jim (Maureen) Spelich of Peru, Bob (Bre) Spelich of Geneva, and John (Amanda) Spelich of Peru; fourteen grandchildren Mark Jr., Alex, and Kyra Nelson, Zack, Colton, and Chloe Cinotto, Carly (Hayden) Hurst, Lauren Spelich, Lincoln and Harper Spelich, Tyler, Kyle, Owen, and Reid Spelich; two great-grandsons Jared Cinotto and Lance Hurst; and one sister Mary Kay (Mike) Harris of Peru.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. 
 

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