Douglas J. Spale, 80, of Bellwood, Nebraska, died Monday, June 16, 2025, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, June 20th at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus with Pastor Oliver Fullmer officiating. Lunch will be served following the service, with burial following at Schuyler Cemetery in Schuyler, Nebraska. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church on Friday prior to the service.

Doug was born in Columbus to Elva (Fajman) and James Spale on May 7th, 1945. Doug graduated from Howells High School. He then went on to receive his Associates Degree from Platte College and later received his real estate license.  Doug was united in marriage to Janet Bazata on September 4, 1965, in Pilger, Nebraska.

Doug worked at Behlen Manufacturing and Lindsay Manufacturing before opening a Montgomery Wards with his wife Janet. They went on to own and operate D&J Furniture Store in Columbus for 20 years. After retiring from D&J Furniture store, Doug went on to work several years with Gehring Concrete.

Doug was a proud and devoted husband and father to Janet and their 4 children.  He taught them many invaluable lessons and the value of hard work. He touched so many lives through his various endeavors and those who knew him were better because of it. He loved being outdoors with his cattle, working on his garden & lawn, grilling and fishing. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he had taught Sunday School.

Doug is survived by his wife, Janet Spale of Bellwood, NE; daughter Shelly Spale (Todd) Cutler of Omaha, NE; son: Jason Spale of Omaha, NE; his sister Rosemary  (Allen) Schwartz of Norfolk, NE and 13 grandchildren.

Doug was preceded in death by his son, Scott; his daughter, Jami; and his parents, James and Elva Spale.