Noel Spencer Jr.

Noel (Mick) Walter Spencer Jr. completed his life’s journey on January 5, 2026 surrounded by loving family. Mick was born in East Orange, New Jersey on February 8, 1932 to the late Noel Walter Spencer and Kathleen Benjamin. In addition to his parents, Mick is preceded in death by his beloved wife Barbara Mae Simane, three sisters: Virginia, Lucia, and Ina as well as his cherished stepmother, Violet.

Mick’s survivors include his four children: Noel Spencer III and wife Sherry, Michael Worwetz, Mark Worwetz and wife Cath, and Antoinette Spencer. Mick is also survived by five grandchildren: Jonathan Spencer, Kyla Anne Spencer, Christopher Spencer, Rebeccah Boyd and Nicole Thomas. He is also survived by his sister, Selma Horan and longtime friend and spiritual companion, Theresa White-Lightner.

Growing up in New Jersey, Mick loved baseball. He enjoyed sneaking away to Ebbets field to watch the Brooklyn Dodgers, delighted by the fact that he was granted free admission when he wore his school military uniform. Upon moving to Mechanicsburg in 1948, Mick embraced his sense of honor, fidelity, and service – characteristics that shaped and ultimately governed his life.

Mick graduated from Mechanicsburg Area Senior High in 1949. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in 1954 through the NROTC program. Upon graduation, Mick served his country as a Marine Corps officer for the next twenty years. Mick proudly served many roles in the Marines. Most notably, he was a Military Intelligence Officer in the Vietnam war. The precision and predictive ability of his work earned him the nickname “Mr. ICOR”. Ultimately, he was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct and outstanding service. While stationed in the middle east, he earned his master’s degree in Arab Studies from the American University in Beirut.  

Upon retiring from the Marine Corps in 1974 with the rank of Major, Mick resumed his education and earned a PhD in Middle East Studies from the University of Utah. He then taught at the university before pursuing a higher calling to serve God and the Roman Catholic Church. Mick was ordained a deacon in 1997. While assigned to parishes in Utah and Tennessee, Mick augmented his duties by serving as a Police Chaplin. He also volunteered extensively for hospice, providing spiritual guidance and comfort to those in their care.

Mick lived a full, rich life and he was always willing to share his vast knowledge and experience with those fortunate enough to know him. If Mick’s life and legacy had to summed up in a word or two, it would be “Semper Fidelis” which is Latin for always faithful.