Cover photo for James E. Spiegel's Obituary
James E. Spiegel Profile Photo
1941 James 2025

James E. Spiegel

September 4, 1941 — October 16, 2025

Dayton

James Edward Spiegel, age 84, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2025 at home surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.

Jim was born in Waterloo, Iowa on September 4, 1941 to Dolores and Richard Spiegel. He graduated high school from Our Lady of Victory Academy in 1959, married Diana Apel in 1962, and graduated from Marquette University in Accounting in 1963.

While working at Peat, Marwick & Mitchell in Milwaukee, he earned his CPA license. He was then hired by St. Mary’s Hospital in Racine, Wisconsin as their CFO. His interest in hospital administration increased. To facilitate receiving his Master’s, in 1971, he, his wife, and three children moved into student housing at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. In 1973, Jim assumed the position of CFO for Grandview Hospital here in Dayton where he worked until his retirement.

Jim left his mark everywhere he lived with his generosity of spirit, always embracing life with the big hug he was known for, using his time, talent and treasure to improve the life of everyone he encountered.

He was an active member of St. Henry’s, St. Agnes, and Tree of Life in Dayton and EnlightenNext in Massachusetts. In each of those he donated his accounting skills.

He loved traveling, reading, gardening, and being with friends. Even though he was dedicated to his public work and fun, his family, wife, children and grandchildren were the center of his life. He passes on a legacy of deep love and care in his role as husband, father, grandfather and friend. His spirit lives on in everyone he touched.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Richard and Larry, and his sister Jackie Fischels. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 63 years, Diana, his children, Deborah and partner, Patrick Pryzborowski in Dayton, Daniel and his wife Melissa in Missouri, Heidi in Colorado, grandchildren, Cameron Porter and wife Alice Inchauspe, Bre Porter, all in New York, Jarrod Ferstl, Eliot Ferstl and wife Olivia Ferrazza, all in Colorado, and his brother, Thomas and wife, Linda, in Maryland. Graveside funeral services will be at 1:00 PM, on Friday, October 17, 2025, in Oak Grove Natural Burial Cemetery, 4445 US Rt 68 N, Yellow Springs, Ohio with Mary Reaman and Jen Blalock officiating. A livestream of the service will be available via Routsong's YouTube channel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to House of Bread, 9 Orth Ave. Dayton Ohio, 45402 or on their website 

Service Schedule

Upcoming Services

Graveside Service

Friday, October 17, 2025

Starts at 1:00 pm (Eastern time)

Add to Calendar

Oak Grove Natural Burial Cemetery

4445 U.S. 68, Yellow Springs, OH 45387

Get Directions

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 124

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors