Richard Norris Spyker

Richard Norris Spyker (Spike) fell asleep in death in his home on Friday, November 29, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a short battle with Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma. He was a fighter to the very end. 

Spike was born on August 25, 1934 in Denver, Colorado to Clem and Mildred Spyker. He was an only child. They moved several times during his childhood and eventually settled in Lima, Ohio. He worked for United Telephone Company which eventually became Sprint Telephone Company. He was an expert switchboard installer and phone technician, working in many of the surrounding small towns and factories in the area. He retired from the phone company in 1996, after 44 years of service. On April 22,1957, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth Rose Schroeder. As devoted members of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, they were privileged to be able to teach the bible to many people in the Defiance and Paulding county areas. Together they also helped to build and remodel many Kingdom Halls in Ohio and Indiana. He always enjoyed his summer vacations with his wife and children traveling to many National Parks across the country. He was always ready for an adventure. His family was his biggest source of pride. Spike was known for his 'gift of gab' and he always had a story to tell, he 'never met a stranger' as the saying goes. 

Together, Spike and Betty had four children: Robert J. (Lisa) Spyker, Defiance; Ruth A. (Marvin) Behm, Defiance; Anthony J. (Sharon) Spyker, Antwerp; Rebecca S. (Todd) Cook, Antwerp. They also have 7 grandchildren, Brandi J. (Nick) Eberle; Abby N. (Patrick) Yeater, Katy J. (Morgan) Kuckuck, Caleb J. Spyker, Megan J. (Jonas) Schwartz, Leila E. Spyker, Keira S. Spyker along with eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth (Betty) in 2015.

A memorial service for Spike will be held Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 24864 Watson Road Defiance Ohio. Visitation will start at 2:00 pm with services to follow at 3:00 pm. Services will also be available on zoom. Arrangements were entrusted to the Zachrich Family Funeral Home of Holgate.