PAOLA – Leroy Leo Spicher, 91, of Paola, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, peacefully at his home.
Leroy was born Tuesday, November 5th, 1929, in Asherville to Wilbur and Thelma (Robertson) Spicher. He graduated in 1947 from Simpson High School in Simpson. After graduation, he served his country with the United States Navy, receiving his honorable discharge in 1948. After arriving home, he attended college at Fort Hays State University and was the catcher for Tiger Baseball.
In July of 1957, he married Betty Allen. To this union were born four children: Mike, Mark, Max and Micky.
Later, Leroy married Arlene (Effland) Finney on May 4, 1977. They made their home in Asherville and then moved to Paola in 1989.
Leroy was a farmer for 30 years. He raised feeder cattle and he also had a cow/ calf operation. Later in life, he worked as a ground’s keeper on golf courses over the years including the Beloit Country Club, Wolf Creek, Spring Hill, Ottawa and Paola Country Club.
Earlier in life, Leroy served as President of the Elks in Beloit. He refereed basketball for many years and was an avid hunter. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved to go boating and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Arlene, his son Max, his great-grandson, Griffin, and his sister Virginia LeSage.
Survivors include, two sons Mike (Kathy) Spicher of Beloit, and Mark (Pam) Spicher of Lincoln, Neb.; daughter Michelle Teague of Sallisaw, Okla.; two stepdaughters, Barb Proctor of Beloit and Deb Finney of Joplin, Mo.; step-son Rob Finney of Beloit; Grandchildren, Corey, Levi, Savanna, Kimberly, Jason, Braden, Brooklynn, Jeremy, Katie, Jonathan, and Desiree, step-grandchildren; Amy, Tanner, and Jacob and 30 great-grandchildren.
Memorials are to the Kansas City VA clinic and can be sent c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary-Crematory, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola, Ks 66071.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, July 24th, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Glasco Cemetery in Glasco, Kansas. A meal will follow at Jason and Katie’s home at 109 E. 2nd St. in Glasco, Ks 67445 and is welcome to all who wish to come and visit with the family and share stories of Leroy aka Spike.
