Obit: Speich, John D. #2 (1922 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Speich, Braun, Perman, Haley, Berchem, Martens, Hoffman, Seigel, Steffen, Kitzhaber, Brey, Kohlnhofer, Herr, Meisner, Follmar

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) November 24, 2010

Speich, John D. (20 November 1922 - 15 November 2010) with flag

John D. Speich, 87, of Greenwood died at the Clark County Health Care Center in Owen, Monday, Nov. 15, 2010.

John D. Speich was born Nov. 20, 1922, in Greenwood, the son of John and Emma (Braun) Speich.  He was raised on the family farm just north of Greenwood and received his education at the Hemlock School and Greenwood High School.  At the age of 19, John enlisted in the U. S. Army in January 1943 and served overseas in the European Theater until his honorable discharge Dec. 14, 1945.  His decorations and citations included the Victory Medal, American, European and African Theatre Ribbons with four Bronze Battle Stars.

He returned to Greenwood and worked on the family farm with his father.  John was united in marriage to Katherine "Kay" Perman April 3, 1948, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenwood.  He took over the family farm and has resided his entire life there until entering Clark County Health Care Center July 1, 2010. John was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society, a member of the Greenwood American Legion for 63 years, where he was active on the drill team and color guard, served on the Greenwood Milk Products Board for 27 years, the American Dairy Association Board and the Clark County Farm Bureau.

John had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family, going for drives and watching the crops grow.  He was an avid Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers fan and enjoyed the local sporting events where he had his free seat for all high school basketball games.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Kay, of Greenwood; five children, Marian Haley of Avondale, AZ, Bill Speich of Greenwood, Michael )Patti) Speich of Wisconsin Rapids, Margaret Speich (Husband Steven Berchem) of Bethesda, MD, and Diane (Mike) Martens of Orangevale, CA; daughter-in-law, Starla Speich of Vacaville, CA; seven grandchildren, Brehon (Keith) Hoffman, Emmy Speich, Sean Haley, Mara (Justin) Seigel, Emily Berchem, Brooke Speich and Sage Speich; two great-grandchildren, Kaylynn Hoffman and Tarren Hoffman; one brother, Robert Speich of Billings, MT; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Thomas Speich, Oct. 28, 2010 and one brother, Emmet Speich.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenwood with Rev. Joseph Follmar officiating.  Visitation was held at the church Thursday, Nov. 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service, and also at the church Friday from 1 p.m. until time of service.  Burial followed in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers were: Jim Steffen, Bernie Kitzhaber, Hammy Brey, Fran Kohlnhofer, Bill Herr and John Meisner.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, of Greenwood, assisted the family with arrangements.