Spencer Thomas Meagher, 63, of Mount Vernon, passed away after battling cancer on Friday, March 15, 2024, at his home with his family by his side.

He was a professional artist, specializing in plein air-style painting. In addition to his art career, Spencer served as a Baptist minister of various local churches for nearly twenty years. He also worked as a laborer and designer for Airtex Products in Fairfield, IL for nearly thirty years.

Funeral and visitation services will be held at Oak Valley Free Will Baptist Church located west of Geff, IL. Visitation will be held Saturday, March 23rd starting at 5:00pm, and again on Sunday, March 24th from 1:00pm until the 2:00pm funeral service at the church. Burial will be in Oak Valley Cemetery.

Spencer was born January 25th, 1961 in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Thomas and Phyllis (Brow) Meagher.

He married Cindy (Byars) on March, 11th 1983 at Oak Valley Church in Geff, IL.

Spencer Meagher, a loving husband of 41 years, father, grandfather, pastor, Sunday school teacher at Summersville Missionary Baptist church, artist, and friend, left his mark on the world and will be remembered as a man of deep faith. Spencer’s passion for art and painting will continue to be enjoyed by many. An award winning artist, he reveled in the challenge of capturing the unseen beauty in common places. Spencer’s work has taken top awards in art competitions around the country, and has been exhibited in many notable galleries. He was a member of Heartland Art Club, Missouri Valley Impressionist Society, National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society, American Impressionist Society, Outdoor Painters Society and Saint Louis Watercolor Society. Spencer’s furry best friend, Poco, was always by his side, a loyal companion on his artistic journeys and travels. Together with his wife, he enjoyed many adventures, always seeking inspiration for his next masterpiece. Spencer Meagher’s legacy is one of love, faith, and creativity. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his contributions to the art community, and the joy he found in every brushstroke.

Spencer is survived by his wife of forty one years, Cindy Meagher; children, Kelly (Cody) Pratt, O’Fallon, IL; Jay (Erik) Meagher-Rigdon, Aitkin, MN; Joe (Sydney) Meagher, Geff, IL; grandchildren, Henry and Lincoln Pratt; siblings, Ginny (Don) Barrett, Cisne, IL; Norm (Lela) Meagher, Bluffton, SC; Greg (Robyn) Meagher, Monroe, NC. He is also survived by many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, and nieces.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Thomas, and Phyllis Meagher; mother and father-in-law Glen Dale and Shirley Byars.

Donations may be made to the Spencer Meagher Memorial Fund. All funds will go towards celebrating local artists and backing the art groups and organizations that were dear to Spencer.

Donations to the Spencer Meagher Memorial Fund can be made through the Hosselton-Meredith Funeral Home or the day of the services at Oak Valley Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com

Source:Posted by Betty Sink on Jefferson County Genealogy Facebook group