Vernon "Sam" Samuel Speicher

Vernon "Sam" Samuel Speicher, 85, formerly of Millersburg, died Saturday, November 12, 2011, at Courtyard Healthcare where he had been since November 2007. He was born March 26, 1926 in Topeka, to the late Milton and Zula (Mallon) Speicher. He married Geneva B. Bickel on October 19, 1946 at Fish Lake Church, Middlebury. She survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Suzanne (Clifford) Thompson of Topeka; a son, Rodney "Joe" (Jane) Speicher of Goshen; three grandchildren, Jan (Matt) Baker, Heather (Jeff) Johnson and Erin (Tobey) Schwartz; four great-grandsons, Ethan, Evan, Logan and Cooper; and a foster sister, Barbara (Stanley) Leedy, Goshen. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Martha Page, Mary Cathryn Stahl and Ida Pearl Speicher; seven brothers, Ira Earl, Daniel, Richard, Elmer, Charlie, Melroy and Robert Speicher; a foster brother, Karl Pence; and three foster sisters, Fern Sherck, Fay Jones and Freda Simms. A 1944 graduate of Topeka High School, Mr. Speicher owned and operated Sam's Machine Shop, Millersburg for 10 years. A member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Middlebury, he was a charter member of the American Legion, Millersburg, and the Goshen VFW. He served two years in the US Army during WW II in central Europe with the 504th Medical Detachment of the 82nd Airborne Division where he received two bronze stars. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, November 15, and one hour prior to the 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2011 service at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. Great-nephew Craig Knisley, Associate Pastor at Westlake Church, Indianapolis, will officiate. A military graveside service will be followed by burial in Eden Cemetery, Topeka. Memorial contributions may be given to the Goshen VFW.