Gayland F. "Spence" Spencer

Gayland F. "Spence" Spencer, 77, of Metamora passed away at 12:56 pm Sunday July 3, 2016 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born on October 12, 1938 in Nelma, WI the son of Claud and Carrie Thrasher Spencer. A 1955 graduate of Iron River High School in Iron River, MI, he attended Michigan State University for two years and, in 1959, enlisted in the US Army, serving three years, mostly in Heidelberg, Germany. In 1963 he was employed by the Northern Regional Research Laboratory, USDA, in Peoria were he met his lifelong love, Mary Ann Morris, whom he married on December 14, 1963 in Metamora, IL. Surviving are his wife of Metamora, one daughter Kathryn (Michael) McCormick of Metamora, one grandson, Jack McCormick, and one granddaughter, Brooke McCormick. Also surviving are three brothers, Duard Spencer of Nelma, WI, Floyd (Eileen) Spencer of Greendale, WI, and Armand (Ann) Spencer of Canton, NY and one sister, Lucy (Elzmer) Ehlinger of Iron River, MI. Further surviving is a close nephew, Terry Vantaggi, of Las Vegas, NV along with a host of many other nieces, nephew, great nieces and great nephews. During the 1960's, Spence attended Bradley University, attaining a B.S. in Chemistry in 1969. His career at NRRL lasted until 1994 during which time he was promoted to the position of Research Chemist and authored or co-authored over ninety peer-viewed research papers, book chapters, primarily in the field of plant biochemistry. In 1984, he received, as part of an interdisciplinary group, the Department's Superior Service Award for the isolation and identification and characterization of brassinolide, the first known naturally-occurring plant growth promoter. Following his retirement of NRRL, he worked as a vehicle mover for the Morton Auto Auction until 2014. He was a past member of the Metamora Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years. At the request of Spence, cremation rites have been accorded and no services are scheduled. Memorial contributions may be given in his name to the Metamora Fire Department. Notes of condolences may be sent using www.peoriafuneral.com.