James Lee Spiker

United States Vietnam Veteran, James L. (Jim) Spiker, age 78 of Indianola, Iowa passed away Friday, July 3 at his home with his wife at his side.

Jim was born on April 29, 1948 to Keith and Virginia (Johnson) Spiker of Rolfe, Iowa. He played basketball and loved to hunt. Jim graduated in 1966.

Jim enlisted in the United States Navy following his graduation at the age of 17, requiring his parents written consent. He served in the Vietnam Harbor Security River Patrol Nangun and was on the USS Richard L. Page. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam service medal with one Bronze Star and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. Jim was honorably discharged on April 7, 1972.

After arriving home to Iowa following his time in Vietnam, he met Wanda Lee, the woman he fell in love with and married on December 12, 1970. He worked in fertilizer/chemical management for 35 years. The couple were blessed with five children. He enjoyed attending their sporting events, music events, and taking them to flea markets, as well as other fun trips. Jim also collected coins, watched many sports on TV, and was an avid Hawkeye fan. In his retirement, his eyes would light up every time his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren came to visit. Wanda and Jim spent many hours enjoying their deck and watching the hot air balloons go by.

Jim was a wonderful, loving, devoted, and hard-working husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Jim is survived by his wife, Wanda; his children, Kelly (Sarah) Spiker, A.J. (Andrea) Spiker, Lindsey (Patrick) McKinney, Rob (Chassidy) Spiker, and Hayden Spiker; his grandchildren, Paige Spiker, James T. (Janie) Spiker, Nelson (Rachel) Zach, Meghan (Jacob) Worman, Adrian Zach, Katherine Spiker, John Spiker, Benjamin Spiker, Hadley McKinney, Landry McKinney, Patrik Spiker, and Lily Spiker; his great-grandchildren, Adalynn Spiker, Kase Spiker, Kaylynn Spiker, Kingsley Spiker, Margaret Zach, and Westlyn Worman; his brother, Terry Spiker, and family; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends whom he loved and had great admiration.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Virginia Spiker; his sisters, Nancy, Linda Salter, and Ruth Coleman; and his mother and father in law, Ruth and Oscar Lee, who thought of him as their very own.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines with visitation from 10-11 a.m. prior. The service will be livestreamed and will be available on the Hamilton's website below on the day of the service. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Jim, you fought not only for your country, but for your family, always giving more than receiving. Now, rest and we’ll all see you when we get there. We were all blessed to have you in our lives. All our love.

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