Emil Spellmeier

Emil Spellmeier, 97, of Sabetha, died Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.

He was born Aug. 14, 1921, on a farm five miles southeast of Fairview. He was the only son of Henry and Emma (Lear) Spellmeier and the youngest of four children.

Emil attended Turner Grade School for eight years, and graduated from Fairview High School with the class of 1940. In mid-1942 at the age of 19, he was inducted into the Army at Fort Leavenworth. From there he was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C., for 16 weeks of basic training.

On Sept. 26, 1942, he married Helen Mae (Bowen) Spellmeier in Washington, D.C. They celebrated 62 years of marriage before her death in 2005. Together they farmed, raised a family and were active in their church and community. They had two children, Sherry (Bob) Scoby and Jim (Barbara) Spellmeier.

Emil loved his family, the rural way of living and his country. He was a charter member of the Fairview-Morrill American Legion and he was a continuous member for more than 65 years. Above all, he was a deeply spiritual man who loved his church family, especially “Country Church,” both for the music and the lunch after.

He was an ingenious craftsman in both metal and wood. He made numerous labor-saving items used on the farm and ranch. Woodworking also was a hobby of his as he made decorative items and toys for family and many friends.

Preceding him in death were his wife and three sisters.

Survivors include his children and their spouses; grandchildren, Shelly Scoby (Harold) Schmelzle, Amy Scoby (Hank) Humphreys, Bryn Spellmeier (Tony) Duever, Neeley Spellmeier (John) Watkins, and Joshua Spellmeier; five great-grandsons and three great-granddaughters.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Fairview United Church of Christ. Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Popkess Mortuary in Sabetha. Interment will be made in the Isley Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fairview United Church of Christ or the Fairview-Morrill American Legion, sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Street, Sabetha, KS 66534.

The Sabetha Herald 10/10/2018