Gery M. Spires

Gery Michael Spires, 73, will be remembered as a man who loved fiercely. So fiercely in fact, his heart eventually gave out and he died peacefully surrounded by nature’s beauty at his lakeside home in Lake Wildwood, IL on August 1, 2023. If you knew Gery, then you’d know how much he loved his three children: Valerie (Karl) Carlson of Playa del Rey, CA; Eric (Lisa) Spires of Peoria, IL; and Michael Spires of Lake Wildwood, IL. He was so very proud of them and would bring them up to anyone around. His children will miss his wisdom, his laugh, and his passions which ranged from music to sports (especially his Cubs and golf) to dogs, his trusted companion Murphy in particular, to seeing wildlife around his neighborhood, to the evening breezes coming through the trees he planted on his property, to tropical fish, and to Steven Tyler’s piercing vocals. 

Gery loved his family deeply. This includes his four grandchildren: Carter Spires of Cincinnati, OH; Karly Spires of St Louis, MO; and Iris and Violet Spires of Lake Wildwood, IL who grew up playing at his house and eating his famous chicken “stuff” and potato salad. He loved his sister Vivian Spires of Oglesby, IL. He loved his ex-wives, Diane Lindsay and Penny Wilhelm. He loved his bandmates in the Drones, in which he was the lead singer. A particular highlight of which was when he opened for Buddy Guy in 1972.

Gery graduated from Toluca high school. His strong work ethic, his charm, and his honesty brought him much success. He worked as a top sales executive for several home improvement companies. His kids have such fond memories of driving around with him listening to music together in the car during in-person sales calls. The kids were just happy to tag along and laugh, sing, and dance around in the car while they toured nearby neighborhoods. 

Gery’s wish is to be next to his beautiful golden retriever Murphy on his property. Nothing could be more fitting for a man who took such good care of his home, his property, his family, and his pets. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Margaret (MacMahon) and his brother, Jim Spires.

A small, private celebration of life will be determined at a later date at Gery’s Lake Wildwood home. Online condolences can be left at lenzmemorialhome.com

We’ll miss you dad, grandpa, Gery and we hope your best jam sessions still await you. Perhaps Steve Tyler was right when he belted out: 

“Oh, sing with me, this mournful dub. Sing with me, sing for a year. Sing for the laughter, and sing for the tear. Sing with me, if it's just for today. Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away”

Dream on Gery Spires, we’ll certainly carry you in our dreams.