Richard M. Spielman, age 89, of Monroe, died Thursday, July 23, 2009 at Monroe Manor. He was born March 3, 1920 in Seward, Illinois, the son of Harry Spielman and Alvina (Christen) Spielman. A resident of Monroe since 2001 Spielman had lived in his home on Homer Street in Freeport for over 50 years.
Richard graduated from Pecatonica, Illinois High School in 1938. In high school Spielman was active in sports and received numerous varsity letters.
Spielman married Florence Ryan on June 14, 1941 at the home of her parents in Freeport, Illinois. Florence died on August 14, 1990. The Spielman's son Ronald lives in Monroe, with his wife Jennifer.
During World War II Spielman served with the Century Division in France and Germany 1944-1946. During his time in combat Spielman received the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in France, the Combat Infantry Badge for consecutive days in the battle zone and later The Bronze Star. He was proud of his membership in The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars for over fifty years.
Prior to entering military service Spielman worked as a machinist at Micro Switch in Freeport. Spielman served as a member of the Freeport Fire Department before devoting over 33 years as a Letter Carrier with the US Post Office in Freeport. Spielman gave two years of service as president of the Letter Carriers Union and four years as president of the Postal Credit Union.
From 1950-1955 the Spielman's ran a small corner grocery store in Freeport, the Food & Sweet shop at the southeast corner of West Avenue and Cottonwood Street. Spielman also grew popcorn on the family farm for distribution by Tee Lee Popcorn of Shannon.
Spielman was supportive of Boy Scouting having served as Advancement Chairman for the U S Grant Council, BSA. In 1958 Spielman was a co-leader taking Explorer Scouts on a canoe trip to Eagle Lake, Ontario. He continued his traditional trips to Ontario for 50 consecutive years making his last trip in 2007 with his son, grandson, nephew and special fishing friends. He was called: "The Guide," by those in his fishing party because of ability to regularly land the biggest Walleye.
Spielman is survived by his sister, Doris Brauer of Pecatonica, Illinois; son, Ron and wife Jennifer; grandson, Ryan and wife Laureen with grandchildren Kaylee Deadmond and Reece Spielman, and granddaughter Catherine (Ryan Boughton) Spielman.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 30, 2009 at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home, 1455 Mansion Dr., Monroe, WI, with Charles Wellington presiding. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, Illinois.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service on Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for the Canyon Camp Spirit Scholarship Fund or Monroe Arts Center Foundation.
Richard graduated from Pecatonica, Illinois High School in 1938. In high school Spielman was active in sports and received numerous varsity letters.
Spielman married Florence Ryan on June 14, 1941 at the home of her parents in Freeport, Illinois. Florence died on August 14, 1990. The Spielman's son Ronald lives in Monroe, with his wife Jennifer.
During World War II Spielman served with the Century Division in France and Germany 1944-1946. During his time in combat Spielman received the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in France, the Combat Infantry Badge for consecutive days in the battle zone and later The Bronze Star. He was proud of his membership in The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars for over fifty years.
Prior to entering military service Spielman worked as a machinist at Micro Switch in Freeport. Spielman served as a member of the Freeport Fire Department before devoting over 33 years as a Letter Carrier with the US Post Office in Freeport. Spielman gave two years of service as president of the Letter Carriers Union and four years as president of the Postal Credit Union.
From 1950-1955 the Spielman's ran a small corner grocery store in Freeport, the Food & Sweet shop at the southeast corner of West Avenue and Cottonwood Street. Spielman also grew popcorn on the family farm for distribution by Tee Lee Popcorn of Shannon.
Spielman was supportive of Boy Scouting having served as Advancement Chairman for the U S Grant Council, BSA. In 1958 Spielman was a co-leader taking Explorer Scouts on a canoe trip to Eagle Lake, Ontario. He continued his traditional trips to Ontario for 50 consecutive years making his last trip in 2007 with his son, grandson, nephew and special fishing friends. He was called: "The Guide," by those in his fishing party because of ability to regularly land the biggest Walleye.
Spielman is survived by his sister, Doris Brauer of Pecatonica, Illinois; son, Ron and wife Jennifer; grandson, Ryan and wife Laureen with grandchildren Kaylee Deadmond and Reece Spielman, and granddaughter Catherine (Ryan Boughton) Spielman.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 30, 2009 at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home, 1455 Mansion Dr., Monroe, WI, with Charles Wellington presiding. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, Illinois.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service on Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for the Canyon Camp Spirit Scholarship Fund or Monroe Arts Center Foundation.