Sandy Speelmon, lifelong Montanan, proud veteran, beloved husband and father, died October 27, 2016 in Miles City, Montana. Sandy was 92, born February 29, 1924 in Ekalaka, Montana to Jim and Etna Speelmon.
He went into the Navy at the end of his senior year of high school and served in both WWII and Korea; he was enormously proud of his service to our country.
After the war, Sandy came back to Montana and went to college on the GI bill. It was there in Bozeman that he met and married the love of his life, Helen Boylan. They were married 68 years. Sandy and Helen raised their 4 daughters in Miles City.
Sandy worked many years as a railroad right of way inspector, a teacher and then for the US Postal Service. Sandy was preceded in death by his brothers Moreau, Wayne, and Kenny, and is survived by his wife, Helen, their four daughters, Margaret (Tim) Cowley, Rose Kline, Linda (Ken) Briggs, and Janet (Terry) Summer. He also leaves behind his two sisters, Patty Hendricks and Lola Rice, as well as seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Holy Rosary Hospice for the kind care they provided in his final days.
Sandy was the essence of a Montana cowboy—tough, independent and self-sufficient, quick with a joke or a funny story, loyal to his many friends, kind hearted in the extreme. Undaunted at having lost a lung in his thirties, he simply worked harder to maintain the level of fitness and strength he wanted to live his life with. He instilled that same work ethic in his daughters, no easy task when they’re smart-mouthed teenagers. From our father we learned that integrity is the backbone of self-respect, and without that foundation you have no moral core. He taught us to value human relationships; he looked for the good in everyone, and found it and focused on it, even when others more easily found fault.
Sandy loved natural beauty, but especially the beauty of eastern Montana. There was no need to go anywhere else. A favorite verse from one his many poems,
So it’s home again, and home again, America for me!
My heart is turning home again, and there I long to be
In the land of youth and freedom beyond the ocean bars
Where the air is full of sunlight, and the flag is full of stars!
Sandy was never one to talk about himself, but everyone who knew him well knows that he was an outstanding Christian, a person to be admired and emulated, and a genuine, unaffected example of the lovingkindness of God and the grace we find in Jesus.
Visitation will begin on Monday, October 31, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Monday October 31, 2016
Stevenson & Sons
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday November 1, 2016
Grace Bible Church
3505 Stower
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Tuesday November 1, 2016
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Monday October 31, 2016
Stevenson & Sons
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday November 1, 2016
Grace Bible Church
3505 Stower
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Tuesday November 1, 2016
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Renée Peterson says
I am so sorry to read about your dad. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Gini Knipfer says
So sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing. He was a very special guy and a good friend while they lived at Mill Iron. Have a lot of fond memories of him and Helen. My prayers are with all of you.
Ruben aand June Opp says
To all the Speelmon family ,
So sorry to see where your loved one has gone to be with his heavenly maker. We know he will be missed by you all. But know you will be in our thoughts and prayers now and in the days ahead , May god bless and comfort you with his peace..
Ruben and June Opp
Marty Bastian says
To the Speelmon Family,
Sorry to hear about Sandy, I enjoyed my visits with him, My prayers are with you.
Theresa Collins says
Uncle Sandy was always keeping us up on the family history. My heart is aching with his passing but know he is with his Lord and Savior. Nobody will ever appreciate my pork & bean and toast dinners like Sandy.
Tameka says
To the family: May you find comfort in knowing that God is close to the brokenhearted and there will be a resurrection.
-Psalms 34:18; Acts 24:15
Mrs. Lillie says
I’m sorry for the loss of your dear loved one, Sandy, may you find comfort in the God of all comfort, Jehovah,(2 Corinthians 1:3,4) in his word, the bible,, in Psalms 34:18: Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; He saves those who are crushed in spirit. God’s word, also says in Isaiah 25:8: He will swallow up death forever, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces….For Jehovah himself has spoken it. (Psalms 83:18: Titus 1:2) Isaiah 33:24; Revelation 21:3-5; / John 5:28,29; John 11:25,26; Acts 24:15. This is what God’s Kingdom, under Jesus Christ rulership, will accomplish in the near future, for all those who love righteousness. The true God, also promises in his word, in Psalms 37:11,29:.The meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace, 29: The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it. Psalms 104:5; Psalms 115:16; Ecclesiastes 1:4; Job 33:25; Isaiah 35:5,6; Isaiah 65:21,22; Psalms 37:34. (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)
Karen Kreitel says
Janet – thoughts and prayers for you and your family. May God bless you with wonderful memories!
Michael, Kristi Speelman and Family says
Prayers for the family. sandy was an amazing man,
Jim & Cathy Bastian says
We are so very sorry. Sandy was such a joy to be around. Our kids thought he was the best person ever, they truly loved him. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Jacque Bertrand Smith says
Speelmon family: My thoughts are with you at this time. What a nice guy he was!
Jeff & Val Hyatt says
Our family will miss seeing our dear neighbor and friend. Sandy always had a friendly wave, wise words and a helping hand. We learned a lot from him and were blessed beyond measure by his kindness.
Vickie Schulz says
I am very sorry to hear and will miss hearing Sandy’s stories when I am home in Miles City. He will always have a very special place in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Kathleen Beauchot says
Helen, and daughters, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember the kindness of Helen and Sandy and the block party they had for me when I moved to Miles City. I thought it would take time to meet people and within a couple of days, thanks to Helen and Sandy I’d met everyone on the block. That was 29 years ago, and though I haven’t seen much of you for many years you both will be in my heart forever.
Jeanne Green says
Sandy was such a special person. He was such a wonderful Christian man. So enjoyed the Bible studies we had at your place. Have missed seeing both Sandy and Helen in church and know they would be there if their health would have let them. He will be missed. My prayers are with all of the family at this time and also in the future days. Jeanne Green