Gareld Spiess Family

Gareld Allen Spiess was born on April 30, 1931, a son of Dewey James and Eva Maud Spiess. Gareld graduated from Literty High School in 1949. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

Gareld and Colleen Louise Rigal were married on February 14, 1954, after Gareld returned from service. They settled in Liberty Center after honeymooning at Niagara Falls.

Colleen Louise Rigal Spiess was born on April 1, 1932, a daughter of Loran R.D. and Edna Effie Rigal. She graduated in the class of 1950 from Liberty High School and graduated from St. Vincent's School of Nursing in Toledo as a registered nurse.

The children of Gareld and Colleen Spiess are Jeffrey Lewis, Nancy Ann, Jennifer Lynn, Joel Allen and Susan Dawn. The children grew up helping with the farm chores after the family moved to the W.M. Wagner farm after the birth of Jeffrey. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were known to the Spiess children as "Moppy" and "Mel".

All the Spiess children have attended Liberty Center schools. Jeffrey was valedictorian of the class of 1973. He graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana in May, 1977 and now attends Toledo Medical College, planning to become a doctor of medicine. He married Kathy Jo Powers, born May 2, 1954, on December 18, 1976. They met at Taylor University where Jeff majored in chemistry and Kathy majored in computer programming. Kathy is employed by the Ohio Citizens Bank in Toledo. The couple live in Toledo.

Nancy Ann received her State FHA Degree in 1973 and was the first State FHA officer from Liberty Center. She served as the State FHA Secretary for

1973-74. Nancy graduated in 1974 and attended Fort Wayne Bible College for one year. During her senior year she met James Roynon, born February 7, 1951 and the two were married on August 9, 1975. Nancy Ann attends Toledo School of Nursing and James is the High School vocal music instructor at Liberty Center. Nancy and James have one son, Bradley James born on November 8, 1976. The Roydons live in Liberty Center.

Jennifer Lynn Spiess was valedictorian of her class in 1976. She attends Spring Arbor College, Jackson, Michigan, and is majoring in math and business economics.

Joel Allen Spiess received his State FFA Degree in 1977 and was a member of the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir in 1976. Joel now attends Spring Arbor College majoring in elementary education:

Susan Dawn is a student in high school and plans to attend college after graduation and hopes to become a para-legal secretary.

Jeffrey Lewis was born on November 25, 1954. Nancy Ann was born on July 6, 1956. Jennifer Lynn was born on March 2, 1958. Joel Allen was born on June 18, 1959. Susan Dawn was born on March 23, 1962.

Gareld Spiess purchased the Wagner farm in 1967 from Mr. W.M. Wagner. Recently, he purchased the Liberty Hardware from Dahrel Crum and is now self-employed at the hardware. Colleen is employed as head nurse of the third floor of the Fulton County Health Center.

The Gareld Spiess family has felt honored to be able to live in the greatest county of Ohio and although some family members have left Henry County, their roots will be back at "Gemco Farm".

Submitted by: Joel A. Spiess