Mirl "Gene" Spurgeon

Mirl Eugene Spurgeon, 88, of Arnold and formerly of Alexandria, passed away at 9:10 am on Friday, November 3, 2023, at his son’s home in Festus.

He was born on April 6, 1935, in New Boston, Iowa, the son of the late Mirl & Ruby (Benge) Spurgeon. Gene married Pearl Rennaker on August 30, 1956, at the First Baptist Church of Kahoka. Together they shared 61 years of marriage until she preceded him in death on August 24, 2021.

After he graduated from High School, Gene served in the United States Army Reserve. He later attended East Texas Baptist College where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Theology. He also earned a Doctor of Practical Theology in Biblical Counseling  Degree from the Master’s Graduate School of Divinity and later graduated from Oxford University in Oxford, England. It was there that he received two doctorate degrees in theology. Gene was a Pastor for many different congregations throughout the years including churches in Alexandria, Edinburg, Harmony Grove, Cedar Grove, Mineola, Wayland, and Peveley, Missouri, and Cahokia, Illinois. He had served as an Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church in Arnold, and Interim Pastor in Festus. He was also an art teacher at Clark County High School. Gene was a Christian Chalk Artist and also a certified Bob Ross painting instructor. He was an avid golfer, he enjoyed swimming, riding motorcycles and visiting with his family and friends.

He is survived by his sons; Jim (Sarah Conant) Spurgeon of Imperial & Joe (Heather) Spurgeon of Festus, a daughter; Vicki Miller of Arnold, eight grandchildren; Lacy, Rachel, Olivia, Curtis, Brenden, Kaleb, Madison & Mackenzie, Eight great grandchildren,  his sister; Sue (Roger) Jobe of Warsaw, Illinois, an uncle; Phil Spurgeon, a brother in-law; Bill Brailey of Keokuk, Iowa,  brother in-law; Jack (Cheryl) Rennaker, Sister in-law Ann Brookhart and by several nieces & nephews. Besides his parents and his wife, Pearl, Gene was preceded in death by two brothers; Sonny & Dick Spurgeon and by two sisters; Margie Jones & JoAnn Brailey.

Funeral services honoring Gene’s life will be conducted at 12:00 noon on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home of Kahoka. Pastor Gene Longo will officiate. Interment will follow at the Frazee Cemetery in rural Alexandria. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of services at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in memory of Gene are suggested to the family. You are invited to share your memories of Gene and leave a condolence at www.wilsontriplett.com