Jeffrey Blair Spelman, 78, of Stow, passed away on Thursday, March 11, 2026 at University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center, surrounded by his loved ones. Born on July 29, 1947 to the late Jack and Marilyn (Bauman) Spelman, he graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1965 and went on to earn degrees from Kent State University, Xavier University, and The Union Institute & University.
Dr. Spelman was a dedicated educator who served as an associate professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology. He taught for 19 years at North Central Technical College before joining the faculty at Ashland University, where he spent another 17 years until his retirement in 2016. When Malone University launched its restorative justice program, he generously offered his expertise and continued teaching for several more years. He cherished time spent at Lake Erie, where he enjoyed boating, fishing, and camping, and he took great pleasure in working on home projects alongside his wife, Jody.
He is survived by his wife, Joanna “Jody”; sisters, Jackie Barton of Herald, CA and Jane Weisman (Pat Kehoe) of Stow; his loving children, Jennifer Case (Ken Mason), Jack II, Jonathan (Anne Marie) and Jordan (Amanda) Spelman; grandchildren, Bridget and Katarina Case, Lillian (Chris) Creech, Junia, Quin and Avila Spelman, Rowan and Josie Spelman; great granddaughter Vivian Creech; sisters-in-law Janie Poland and Amy (John) Wise; nephews, Will (Carla) Weisman and Alec Weisman and several other nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law Tod Barton and Chip Poland.
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