Jon Woodward Spelman

Jon Woodward Spelman, 85, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Ascension Providence Hospital in Waco, Texas.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 19, at First Methodist Church of Waco on Cobbs Drive. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.

Jon was born in Chicago, Illinois, March 1, 1940, and grew up in Elmhurst, Illinois. He attended York High School, where he met the love of his life, Jean. They were Homecoming King and Queen their senior year and were married in 1958. He attended Iowa State University on scholarship, was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi academic honor society, and played football for the Iowa State Cyclones. In 1962, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1967, he earned a Master of Business, with distinction, from Northwestern University.

For 46 years, Jon enjoyed serving the Waco community as a commercial realtor. He also received a designation as a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and joined the Society of Exchange Counselors.

For 20 years, Jon loved teaching Sunday School at First Methodist Church of Waco. He was active in the Waco Business League, Waco Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Partners of McLennan County, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. He was a volunteer at Shepherd’s Heart and a board member of Mission Waco/Mission World. He had a heart for service and went on Christian mission trips to Mexico City, Haiti, and multiple times to Peru. He was active in Walk to Emmaus, Kairos Prison Ministry, and Bible Study Fellowship. He enjoyed playing many sports, especially tennis and cycling. He also completed several triathlons and ran a marathon.

Jon was preceded in death by his parents, Charlton Herbert Spelman and Dorothy Bengson Spelman; and his two brothers, James Charlton Spelman and Robert Grovenor Spelman.

Survivors include his wife, Jean; daughter, Jody Spelman Lesko, and husband, Phil; sons, Jeff Spelman and wife, Pam, and Jake Spelman and wife, Cindi; grandchildren, Joseph Spelman and wife, Lauren, Amanda Spelman, and Jack Spelman; great-granddaughter, Magnolia Jean Spelman; his sister, Penelope Miller, and her husband, Bill Standley; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the following or a charity of your choice:

First Methodist Church of Waco 4901 Cobbs Drive Waco, Texas 76710

Renew Church Waco 6509 Bosque Boulevard Waco, Texas 76710

Mission Waco/Mission World 1315 N. 15th Street Waco, Texas 76707

Shepherd’s Heart 205 S. 26th Street Waco, Texas 76710

Jon’s family invites you to leave a message or a memory online in his “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.