John Roberts Armstrong of Springfield died Sunday, November 2, 2003, at his home.  He graduated from the University of Illinois and earned a master's degree in political science from Sangamon State University.  He was the owner and publisher of the Springfield Herald Spectrum in the 1970s and was a former member of the TRN Club.  Survivors:  a son, John R. Armstrong II of Springfield; a daughter, Anne Willett (companion, Kirk Libby) of Springfield; two grandchildren; a sister, Diane (husband, Jim) O'Connor of Springfield; a niece and nephew; and several cousins.