Barbara Elaine (Smith) Speicher

Barbara Elaine Speicher, 85, North Manchester, Indiana, passed away July 15, 2020 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Born May 25, 1935 in Mentone, Indiana, Barbara was one of five children born to Paul W. and Ester A. (Priser) Smith.

After graduating from Manchester High School in 1953, Barbara went on to further her education. She graduated from Manchester College in 1957 with a B.S. in Psychology and later graduated from St. Francis University with her Master’s in Education. For eleven years Barbara taught Kindergarten at Maple Park and Chester Elementary. When she and Daniel lived in Gainesville, Georgia, she also worked as a substitute teacher.

On her twenty-third birthday, Barbara married the love of her life, Daniel E. Speicher II. The two were wed for sixty-two years and had three children. During that time Daniel was amazed by her toughness, patience, and gentle soul. Barbara battled breast cancer twice and never complained about the treatments, showing amazing strength to her family who thought of her as the perfect wife, mother and homemaker.  She always made sure her family was taken care of and was someone everyone could count on.

Barbara enjoyed relaxing at Lake Tippy, being with family, volunteering her time at the Gainesville, Georgia Food Pantry and cross stitching, but her favorite past time was reading books. When Barbara was a member at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, North Manchester, Indiana, she would teach Sunday School. Most recently, Barbara and Daniel attended Urbana Yoke Parish, Urbana, Indiana. Barbara was also a former member of Tri-Kappa.

The loving memory of Barbara Elaine Speicher will be forever cherished by her husband, Daniel E. Speicher II, North Manchester, Indiana; son, Daniel E. “Sam” Speicher III, Leesburg, Indiana; daughters, Paula K. Speicher, North Manchester, Indiana and Stephany (Jim) Underwood, Hainesport, New Jersey; brother, Herbert K. Smith, Warsaw, Indiana; sister, Angenetta (Stephen) Briner, Silver Lake, Indiana; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and two infant sisters.

Family and friends may call Friday, July 24, 2020 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana. A Celebration of Life memorial service will begin at the conclusion of calling. Burial will be held at Speicher Cemetery, County Road 500 North, 1 ½ miles east of Urbana, Indiana. Pastor Larry Wade will officiate.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Barbara Elaine Speicher, memorial contributions may be made to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas, Texas 75380 or Urbana Yoke Parish, 75 East Half Street, Urbana, Indiana 46990   

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