Obit: Speich, John #3 (1923 - 2010)

Contact: Audrey Roedl

Email: audero@powerweb,net

Surnames: Speich, Braun, Perman, Haley, Berchem, Martens

----Source: The Loyal TRG  (Loyal, Clark County, Wis. 24 Nov. 2010)

Speich, John  (20 NOV 1923-15 NOV 2010)

John D. Sreich, 87, Greenwood, passed away on Monday, Nov. 15, 2010, at the Clark County Health Care Center, Owen. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Greenwood . Rev. Joseph Follmar officiated. Burial followed in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jim Steffen, Bernie Kitzhaber, Hammy Brey, Fran Kohlmeier, Bill Herr and John Meister.

John D. Speich was born on Nov. 20, 1922, in Greenwood, the son of John and Emma (nee Braun) Speich. He was raised on the family farm just north of Greenwood and received his education at Hemlock School and Greenwood High School. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served overseas in the European Theater until his honorable discharged o Dec. 14, 1945. His decorations and citations included the Victory Medal, and the American European and African Ribbons with four Bronze Battle Stars. He returned to Greenwood and worked on the family farm with his father. He married Katherine "Kay" Perman on April 3, 1948, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenwood. He took over the family farm and resided his entire life there until entering the Clark County Health Care Center on July 1, 2010. He 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, and served on the Greenwood Milk Products board for 27 years, the American Dairy Association Board, and the Clark County Farm Bureau.. He had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family, going for drives, watching the crops grow, following the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers, and enjoying 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, Greenwood; five children, Marian Haley, Avondale, Ariz., Bill Speich, Greenwood, Michael (Patti) Speich, Wisconsin Rapids, Margaret (husband Steven Berchem) Speich, Bethesda, Md., and Diane (Mike) Martens, Orangevale, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Brehon (Keith) Hoffman, Emmy Speich, Sean Haley, Mara (Justin) Seigel, Emily Berchen, Sage Speich and Brooke Speich; two great-grandchildren, Kaylynn Hoffman and Tarren Hoffman; a daughyer-in-law, Starla Speich, Vacaville, Calif.; one brother, Robert Speich, Billings, Mont.; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Thomas Speich, on Oct. 18, 2010; one brother, Emmt Speich.

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

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