KENNETH R. "KEN" SPIKER

KENNETH R. "KEN" SPIKER, 90, of Rochester, N.Y. a native of Fort Wayne, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Ken attended South High School from 1940 until 1942, when he moved to Philadelphia following the death of his parents. He served in the Army Air Corps from November of 1943 until the end of World War II. A skilled basketball player, he was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets and played semi-professional ball for three years. Like his father and older brother, Ken worked at General Electric. He began his career at the Broadway GE plant as an apprentice tool & die maker. He retired from Murray Manufacturing in 1987 as a Master Journeyman Tool & Die Maker. Ken was an extraordinary, devoted father, and a friend to all. He is survived by his brother, Keith a resident of Saint Anne Home; daughters, Dori DeWitt of Woodburn, Ind. and Kathy (Gary) Farner; sons, Douglas (Lauren) Spiker and Keith (Terrie) Spiker; grandchildren, Tanya, Lara, Christie, Cindy, Joe, Michael, Jennifer, and Ricky; 18 great-grandchildren; and six nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Keith "EK" Spiker and Lillian (nee Shirbroun). Memorial service is 2 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2016, at Simpson United Methodist Church., with calling from 1 to 2 p.m. Interment in Coon Rapids, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, Ken requested that donations be made to l3thirty Cancer Connect. For information, visit http://l3thirty.org/