James "O.J." Speltz
December 15, 1952 ~ March 10, 2023
James "O.J." Norman Speltz, age 70 of Lawler, Iowa, died Friday March 10, 2023 at MercyOne Medical Center in New Hampton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler, IA with Rev. Nick Radloff and Deacon Jim Zajicek celebrating the Mass.
Interment will follow at North Lawler Utica Township Cemetery.
A Celebration of Life will also follow at the Starlight Ballroom in Lawler on Wednesday.
Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at the church. Visitation continues Wednesday an hour prior to the Mass at the church.
Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory have been entrusted with OJ's arrangements.
OJ was born December 15, 1952 at St. Joseph Community Hospital in New Hampton, IA, the son of Norman "Red" and Marie (Woods) Speltz. He was a graduate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grade School and Turkey Valley High School.
One of his first jobs was working for Bob Arens at the Lawler Oil Co. where he began his lifelong priority of being a good guy to know. Continuing his mission in life while working for Fred Carlson at Fred Carlson Co. Inc., he INDEED made many good friends.
OJ was forced into retirement due to health issues which led to his biggest and best adventures in friendship as he grew out his beard, rustled up his spectacles, red suit and black boots for lots of long days and nights where he delighted in having kids from all around the county sit on his lap and tell them what they wanted for Christmas. In earlier years he served as Uncle Buck to many of his nieces and nephews coming to their parent’s rescue often. In his last years of progressively poor health, his nieces, nephews, and their children were his biggest fans keeping in touch with phone calls, pictures and visits to his home.
One of OJ's greatest qualities was how much he loved to give. Giving was much more important to him than receiving. He loved the joy on people's faces when he could do something to help them out.
If you were lucky sometimes you’d catch him strumming a tune on his guitar, singing along with his favorite country music, or daydreaming about being a cheese and hotdog eating cowboy. His Hospice nurses; Miss Kitty, Pearl, Vanna and many others, gave him a 70th birthday party complete with a red cowboy hat and 70 hotdogs in the shape of a birthday cake. Our family thanks them for their care and friendship. Along with Jen, Judy and Joe, Tim and Steve who were invaluable as caretakers when he became homebound.
Survivors include his three brothers, Steve Speltz, Joe Speltz, Tim (Deb) Speltz, all of Lawler; seven sisters, Connie (Paul) Deeny of Charles City, Cathy (John) Lechtenberg of Bettendorf, Norma (Dave) Creighton of Des Moines, Jenny (Bob) Mikota of Sigourney, Mary (Bryan) Mikota of DePere, WI, Theresa (Brian) Jirak of Peidmont, OK, and Rose (James) Armstrong of Goodyear, AZ; 28 nieces and nephews; and close to 50 great nieces and nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Red and Marie Speltz; his grandparents, Kitt and Ray Woods, Marie and Ben Speltz, sister-in-law, Mary Speltz; nephew, Bill Paul as well as many aunts and uncles.
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Thoughts & prayers to the family
Sorry for the family’s loss, Sending prayers for the family 🙏
Sorry for the loss to the family
Thoughts & prayers to the family
Our deepest sympathy to the Speltz family!🙏🙏
Thoughts and prayers to all 🙏
Our sympathy to the entire Speltz family! I have so many wonderful memories of OJ. He will be missed.
So sorry to hear about OJ my prayers are with the family
Ava Tucker
So sorry to hear about OJ. Condolences to the Speltz family.
Sorry for loss. Sending prayers 🙏🙏
Sorry for your loss
Deepest sympathy to the Speltz family 🙏
So sorry for your loss…
So sorry to hear, prayers to all.
So sorry to hear this. Have great memories with OJ
Oh SO very sorry to hear this. Sending love to all Speltz family❤️
So sorry for your loss, Hugs to you and all your family.
Jenny and the entire Speltz family – I am so sorry to hear about OJ. I have a great memory of him coming to our house one year as Santa. I think we might have been like the 4th house on the route so…………. 😉😂. He was always kind to me and will be missed. ❤️
Sorry for your loss
So sorry for your loss Speltz family
Sending our sympathy to the family.
So sorry for your loss
So very sad to hear this. Our sympathy to the entire family. Hugs.
My sympathy to the family
So sorry for your loss!! Our sympathy to the entire family!! 🙏🏻
Sympathy to the the Speltz family. Jim was a geat guy, so many good memories around Lawler of OJ.
Sending prayers to his family. Jeanne and David Roder
Sorry for your loss
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh my dear Speltz friends.. all people living and deceased have only good and fun things to say about sweetheart Jimmy. Rest easy OJ ❤️
My deepest sympathies
Sorry for your loss
May he now rest in peace! Prayers for the Speltz Family
Sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Sending my sympathy to the Speltz family! 🙏
So sorry for your loss ! Sending love & prayers !🙏
Oh, so very sorry. Our deepest sympathies to all of OJ’s family & friends. So many fond memories of OJ.
Hugs to the Speltz family 🙏🙏. So sorry for your loss!
So sorry for your loss
So sorry for the loss of OJ. Deepest sympathy to the Speltz family.
I am saddened to hear this, OJ was the sweetest. Hugs & Prayers for the family 💔
Thinking of the speltz family one of the best
Sorry for your loss!! Sympathy to the family!! 🙏
Thoughts and prayers to the Speltz family ❤️
So sorry for your loss!
So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Dena and Zac Palmer and Dean Speicher
Thoughts and prayers for healing and remembering all the great memories!!
Prayers to the Speltz family.
So sorry for OJ’s family and friends loss. Our sympathy to you all.
From The Currans
My deepest condolences to everyone on the passing of OJ. I have Many fond memories of us growing up together. May he rest in peace.
Jim Goss
🙏🏼🙏🏼 Prayers & Hugs to the Speltz families ✝️💟
So sorry to the aspects family. Thoughts and prayers. It was a blessing to have worked and grown all those years with him.
Our sympathy and prayers to the Speltz families.
So Sorry for your loss
Sympathy and prayers for the family.
Sincere condolences to the Speltz family. Hugs and prayers to you all.
Sympathy for family and friends.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Lawler community lost a gem and a great person! ☘️
With deepest sympathy ❤️🩹
So so sorry for your loss, he will be missed.
Sending heartfelt condolences to the Speltz Family!
So sorry for your loss
Deepest sympathy to all!
Sending our deepest sympathy to the Speltz family ❤️
Hugs to all🙏🙏🙏
So sad to hear this a lot of great memories were made with OJ
So sorry to hear about OJ. I worked with him many years at Fred Carlsons with many good memories
So sorry for your loss.Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers .
So sorry for your loss.
Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Sending my deepest sympathy and praying for the Speltz family.🙏❤️
Sympathies to the Speltz family. Lawler lost a good one!
My sincere sympathy to the Speltz family, & the whole town of Lawler. I have many fun memories of OJ. during my Lawler years.
Deepest sympathy for your loss. 🙏
So sad for the Speltz family. You have our deepest sympathy. Don & Mary Lynch
So sorry for your loss, Speltz Families.
Sympathy to the family
Sympathy to the Speltz family 🙏💙
Sympathy to the entire Speltz family! He was the best Santa Claus for many kids over the years ❤️
My sympathy to the Speltz family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
My sympathy to the Speltz family. He was a great Santa and a fine person.
OJ possessed a laugh that was hard to forget and hard not to laugh along with him. I remember the summer when his horse fell by the drinking fountain and broke his leg. He still laughed about it. Sincere condolences to the Speltz family. Our families were connected growing up so this one hurts. May he rest in peace.
OJ was the sweetest guy ever, he will be so missed :'(
My sympathies are with his family 🙏🙏
I am so sorry to hear about OJ, he was one of a kind. Many great memories over the years. I ran into him often times when I was home. My condolences to the Speltz family and countless friends.
Our sympathy to the Speltz Family…
Prayers to the Speltz Family during this difficult time🙏🏻
So sorry 😪. Will miss him and our talks of the “good old days”.
I’m so sorry to hear this. Rest in peace OJ, my heart goes out to the Speltz family 🙏😥
🙏🙏’s to all
So sorry for your loss
So sorry for your loss! He was such an icon to Lawler. For many years visit so many homes as Santa Claus. He will be dearly miss. God bless 🙏prayers ❤️
Our deepest sympathy to the family!!!!
Im so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to the entire Speltz family.
Deepest sympathy to the Speltz family.
So sorry for your loss, prayers to you all 🙏🏻
So sorry for your loss .💕
Our deepest sympathy to O.J.’s family.
OJ was the best. He always played with us when we were little and mentored us as we grew. I remember having contests with him of who could draw each other better on Etch -a -Sketch and him letting me take his car on a road trip when I was only 16. And I remember endless jokes of Pete and Repeat and many others. Love you OJ!!!
Prayers are with you and your family.
Deepest sympathy to the Speltz family. He was such a joy!!! Loved shooting the breeze with him!! RIP
Our deepest sympathies to the Speltz family’s. He loved having fun! He will he missed. Rest in peace OJ.
Sincere sympathy and prayers.
My sympathy to the Speltz Family!
May this sweet generous man rip again with diog!! Prayers to the entire family
So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers 🙏🙏🙏
So very sorry!
OJ was an amazing man and wonderful uncle. Heaven gained an angel! We were all truly blessed to have him in our lives. I love you OJ. You will be deeply missed by everyone who knew you!
Sympathy to the Speltz family
My sympathy to your family
Deepest sympathies the Oj’s family. OJ was a great guy! I loved his laugh.
So sorry for your loss prayers sent
Not the horse’s leg, OJ’s leg. Need to clarify.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the Speltz family.
My sympathy to the family.
Deepest sympathy to the entire Speltz family.
Truly a Great Guy ,one of a kind you bet. OJ Rest In Peace 🙏 to all who knew this gentleman!!
Deepest sympathy to the Speltz family.
So to hear this sad news about OJ he was a nice guy a good person to talk to. I am thinking of Speltz family.
So sorry for the family oj, he was a great guy, lots of memories from him working at carlsons
Rest in peace, OJ. So many great memories when you lived next door to us…such a great man with a great sense of humor. My sympathy for the entire family. May memories find you comfort.
James…You were the spitting image of your father Red Speltz! You were always so kind and caring! You were in my Sister Maxine’s class in Turkey Valley….a year ahead of me! I will always Miss Your Smile! Rest In Peace Jimmy!
Thoughts and prayers to the entire Speltz family.
Our deepest sympathies 🙏🙏
So sorry for your loss.Sympathy and prayers to family!
Hugs and prayers for the family. oJ was a great guy-always had a smile and a good word for all. Lawler has lost a good soul. Rest in Peace Jim🙏
Sorry for your loss – OJ will always be remembered for his great smile and caring personality.
Jim was a very good guy. Always had a kind word for everyone. Going to miss him. Rest In Peace. Keep smiling!
So sorry for your loss ! OJ will be loved & missed by all who were Blessed to know him ! Sending our love & prayers !
Our deepest sympathy to your families.
OJ, a very good friend, all around great person, with, awesome Santa. You will be missed !!
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss!
Rest in Peace O.J. The Speltz family lost a good one. Sympathy to the families.
Sincere condolences to the Speltz family.
I will never forget when the guys came down to Des Moines to watch the “High School” State Wrestling Tournaments and they camped…
Out at our Apartments. I believe Turkey Valley
Had guys that Made State !!!
We send our sincere condolences to the Speltz family.
Our Deepest Sympathy to the Speltz family.
Sincere condolences to the Speltz family – we were saddened to hear of the loss of OJ. Keeping your families in our prayers.
Bob and Cyndy Weiglein
Deepest sympathy to the Speltz family!
Our deepest condolences.Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Natalie and the Camelback Sports Therapy team
Our deepest sympathy to the Speltz families.
Dear Speltz Family, my husband and I want to send our love and sympathy at this time of your loss of O.J. He was definitely a good guy. I know your memories of him will comfort you now. We know he will be missed. You will be in our thought and prayers.
Our sympathies and prayers.
Our Deepest Sympathy to all of Jim’s family, Prayers and Thoughts are with you during this difficult time of Loss.
James & Lyn (Meissen) Bailey
I had the pleasure of working with OJ and my Dad on the road with Carlson’s. They always kept me laughing with the jokes they would do to each other! OJ would always make sure I was safe on the road. Oj was one great guy ! Oj I hope you and my dad are having a great time in heaven.
I had a great time dancing with Jim “OJ” at my sister’s and Joe’s wedding! He had that shy laugh, I’ll never forget. He will definitely be missed. Rest in peace, classmate. Prayers for the Speltz family.
Thoughts and prayers with the Speltz family. We were lucky to have him in our lives.
Jim “OJ” is a great guy who brought laughter and fun to many. He will be missed. May the memories you shared comfort you. Classmate, Marti Andera
Connie, cathy, and family. Sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Tom & Jan Huber
You will be missed my friend.
My sincere sympathy goes out to brother Tim, and all of the family. If he was anything like his brother, he was a pretty sweet guy. RIP James
We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was always quick with a smile and a kind word. He genuinely made this world a better place.
Joe, Leslie (Anderson), and Annie Raymond
Sorry for your loss.
Sympathy and prayers for all of the Speltz families.
I may have only lived in New Hampton a couple of short years and worked at the pharmacy at shopko as a tech. Jim was a favorite of mine. So kind. Always warmed my heart to see him with his dad, also so very sweet in his last years. Jim’s heart was so big. I didn’t know many people but he made me feel more at home…when I was so far away from mine. Thank you, Jim ♡ may you rest in peace.
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