Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
Richard Louis Spirek Jr.
Richard Louis Spirek Jr.
Obituaries
By News Staff, on July 2, 2020
Richard Louis Spirek Jr.

Richard Louis Spirek Jr. (Dick) was born on July 10, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois to Richard Louis Spirek Sr. and Ruth E. (nee Schirmer) Spirek.

He passed away peacefully on Monday, June 15, 2020.

Dick is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Ellen (M-E) (nee Ratajik) Spirek; his daughters Lisa (Sean) McCaleb and Lori (Kevin) Bayerle; and his grandchildren Myles McCaleb and Sara and Ryan Bayerle. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Dick and M-E married in Chicago and raised their family in Arlington Heights, IL. They owned and operated a Bicycle Shop in Arlington Heights called Bikes Plus. Dick and M-E traveled by bicycle in many countries around the world. They had a strong passion for adventure all their life. Dick loved to fish and golf. When they retired, they moved to Ridgway, Colorado. They had 26 wonderful years in Ridgway. They loved having their family come visit especially their three grandchildren. Dick was a member of the Ouray Elks Club and was very active in their town and community. Dick was always a cowboy at heart. He was a member of the Legends of the West, Wild West Show. He and M-E founded the Second Chance second-hand store, part of the Second Chance Humane Society in Ridgway. Dick and M-E organized the annual Elks Club toy drive for the less fortunate and Dick was Santa, delivering gifts door to door all over Ouray County. They had a passion for volunteering for the annual Woman’s Club’s rummage sale and Ridgway Ski Swap. Their life in Colorado to them was paradise.

Crippin Funeral is assisting his family.

Sweet sounds of summer
Main, News...
Sweet sounds of summer
June 24, 2026
this is a test
Main, News...
County to pursue use tax
Likely ballot measure would raise money for roads, EMS
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
June 24, 2026
Ouray County voters likely will be asked this fall to approve a use tax on both new vehicle purchases and construction material purchases, with most of the tax dollars going to the county’s Road and B...
this is a test
Main, News...
Will fire authority ease insurance woes?
Experts say consolidation may not help homeowners gain, keep coverage
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 24, 2026
Home insurance experts say the proposed consolidation of fire and emergency services in Ouray County may not necessarily help homeowners gain and keep insurance coverage. Leaders of the possible conso...
this is a test
News
Celebration honors past, looks to future
Ranch History Museum marks 20th birthday Saturday with expansion preview
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 24, 2026
The Ouray County Ranch History Museum is celebrating its 20th birthday with a preview of what it wants to be when it grows up. During a celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 27, survey stakes and...
this is a test
News
Ridgway council seeks more efficient meetings
After recent heated tone, councilors emphasize preserving casual culture
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 24, 2026
Ridgway town councilors want to run meetings more efficiently while preserving the council’s casual culture. After trying out informal strategies to shorten the length of meetings, the council may con...
this is a test
Film shows Ouray’s rich, layered history
News
Film shows Ouray’s rich, layered history
'Ouray: Echoes in the Canyon' debuts Friday at the Wright
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
June 24, 2026
The story of Ouray is rich, nuanced and full of interesting people and events. That's the surface-level message the audience could take away from the commissioned documentary for the city's 150th anni...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Looking Back
News
Looking Back
June 24, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago June 30, 1966 Dale Peirdson broke an arm and injured his hip June 24 while working at...
this is a test
News
Local Briefs
National forests impose fire ban
June 24, 2026
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests are joining Ouray County’s three local governments and other agencies in the region in imposing stage 1 fire restrictions. The U.S. Forest Ser...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
Prairie dog problem bigger than fairgrounds
June 24, 2026
Dear Editor: While I appreciate the prairie dog problem at the Ouray County Fairgrounds getting attention, it’s a short-sighted view. There are plenty more prairie dogs that will migrate and repopulat...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Ouray should rethink Fourth of July fireworks
June 24, 2026
Dear Editor: I recently wrote to the Ouray City Council asking them to consider an alternative to our traditional Fourth of July fireworks display this year given the significant wildfire risk we are ...
this is a test
Drought persists, but relief may be en route
Columns, Opinion...
Drought persists, but relief may be en route
By Karen Risch 
June 24, 2026
Ouray County remains in serious drought, as it was last month. Most of Colorado’s mountains are in extreme/ exceptional drought; the northern San Juans remain in the severe category. (U.S. Drought Mon...
this is a test
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy