Beloved Magician 'Mr. D' Remembered For Love Of Craft, Heart For People

TINLEY PARK, IL — Beloved Tinley Park magician Dirk Spence—widely known as "Mr. D"—died Thursday, March 20, surrounded by family in Tucson, Arizona.

Spence was born on April 3, 1955, in Terre Haute, Indiana, and moved to Tinley Park at the age of 5. He graduated from Tinley Park High School in 1973 and worked at Panduit Corp. as a maintenance technician for 10 years before he evolved into the persona he is most known for—Mr. D, the magician and illusionist. He was also known for his unique 1945 Chevrolet house truck that he called “The Magic House on Wheels.”

He worked tirelessly to create and maintain his show vehicle and to perform a magic show that people would never forget, his family wrote in his obituary. His magic show was a popular feature at countless Chicagoland events, including some events where he had performed for up to 35 years.

"He truly loved what he did, saying that the best part was to make people smile and forget their cares for a little while," reads the obituary provided by family.

Spence created two unique 1945 Chevy trucks, which he proudly displayed almost every week during the summer at the Tinley Cruise Nights. Other times, you would find him zipping around on a scooter or riding his Harley. He was a member of the Tinley Park Historical Society and the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He was blessed to have a multitude of friends, many of them since childhood, and he loved to play pranks on as many of them as he could.

He had an eccentric approach to life and often had a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He is leaving a huge hole in this world, his obituary reads, and was very happy to have recently helped two young magicians get started with their own magic show. Mr. D closed every show with the words: "There’s magic in me and magic in you."

He is preceded in death by his parents Don and Rosemarie Spence, and his brother Mark (Sue) Spence, who died just three weeks earlier. He is survived by his wife, Lana (nee Mason), daughters Karlie Spence and Madelyn Spence, son Dirk Robert Spence, and granddaughters Emilia and Lydia Leikel. Also, by several beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

A holy funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 5, at Zion Lutheran Church, 17100 69th Ave., Tinley Park, followed by a celebration of life at the VFW Bremen Post 2791, 17147 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shriners Children’s Chicago in memory of Mr. D, the Magician, or sent to 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707.

This obituary was provided by Mr. D's wife Lana Spence, or "Mrs. D."