NEWPORT NEWS, Oct. 28 – Michael Roderick “Mike” Spangler, 65, died Wednesday, October 27, 2004 in the oncology unit of Riverside Regional Medical Center.

He was born in Denver, CO to the late Arno and Wilmath Spangler.

Mr. Spangler had been a peninsula resident since 1940 and was a United States Air Force veteran. He worked with his father's business. Ace Fabrication & Welding. Following his father's retirement, he successfully owned and operated the business until 1994. Following which, he worked with V.I.M.S. at William & Mary. He was an avid pilot and held a private pilot's license. He performed test flights for friends and besides his family soaring the skies was his greatest love. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. Mike enjoyed introducing young people to the joys of flying and worked with the Young Eagles.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia “Ginny” W. Spangler;five daughters, Rena K. Emerson, Terri L. Rawlings, Deborah Briscoe and her husband, Ron, Maria Castleberry and her husband, Lee and Elizabeth Batten and her husband, Al; seven grandchildren, Gregory, Zachary, Craig, Matthew, Sterling, Katie and Cami; two brothers, Ronald Spangler and Dean Spangler; uncle, Conner Spangler; aunt, Odessa Walters and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A celebration of Mike's life will be held at 305 Cherokee Drive, Newport News, at 2 p.m., Sunday, October 31.

Riverside-Altmeyer Funeral Home is handling arrangements.