John Lee Spicher, 88, of Woodcrest Villa, Lancaster, PA, died in his home surrounded by family and under the strawberry moon, June 21, 2024.
John was born on September 12, 1935, in Belleville, PA, the second child of Jonas Phillip and Rachel Ann (Yoder) Spicher. He grew up on a dairy farm during the Great Depression. From childhood, he was intrigued with God’s creation, curious about how things function and what his role in the process should be. Frugality, hard work, integrity, acceptance of evolving conditions, and respect for others are among the values he learned from his Amish parents.
John met Virginia Joy Peachey in seventh grade; they married 12 years later and reared three children in Irwin, PA. A certified member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, John enjoyed a 30-year career at the Research and Development Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Pittsburgh. He graduated from Belleville Mennonite School, Eastern Mennonite College, and attended the Medical College of Virginia. On retirement, he earned an MA in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College, and for 13 years worked in the Science Center at Eastern Mennonite University. He had a deep and abiding appreciation for the Mennonite Church, and enjoyed sharing his time and resources with Scottdale Mennonite Credit Union, Laurelville Retreat Center, Allegheny Mennonite Conference, Eastern Mennonite University, and Harrisonburg Gift and Thrift, especially in support of youth camping at
Laurelville. He sought adventures, learning, and travel for as long as he was able.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Joy (Peachey) Spicher; children James (Carol Burkhart) Spicher, Mountville, PA; Julia Spicher Kasdorf (Philip Ruth), Bellefonte, PA; and Jefferson (Jean Leaman) Spicher of Albany, OR; five grandchildren; brother David (Effie Yoder) Spicher, of Belleville, PA; sister Salome (Charles) Yoder, Mount Morris, MI; sister Rachel (Lee) Hershberger, Whittier, NC; brother Thomas (Sharon Peachey) Spicher, Huntingdon, PA;. He was preceded in death by brother Kore, in 1940.
A memorial service will be held at Landisville Mennonite Church on July 29, 2024, at 11 a.m. with an opportunity to visit with the family for an hour beforehand. A private burial will take place at the Locust Grove Cemetery in Belleville, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eastern Mennonite University in John’s memory. The family wishes to express gratitude to Hospice and Community Care. Online condolences may be posted at thegroffs.com.
