Sandra Kay (Herron) Speakman, of Churubusco, passed away shortly before 2:30 p.m. Monday, July 6, 2015, at Parkvew North Hospital in Fort Wayne from complications of heart disease.

Sandy was born on Dec. 27, 1939, in Toledo, Ohio, the daughter of Kenneth and Emily (Waters) Herron. She spent her youth in Whitley, Noble and Allen counties, and attended Churubusco High School until 1957 when she left early to marry James Donald Speakman, Sr., to start a family. The couple later divorced in 1973.

As a single parent, she worked full time, sometimes at two jobs, to support her family before retiring as a circuit board inspector from GCI, Inc., of Huntertown. Until her recent hospitalization, she spent her final years of retirement living with her younger brother, Jim, in the house their parents owned in downtown Churubusco. She always considered her children and grandchildren to be her greatest accomplishment in life.

She also enjoyed sewing and crafts and spending time with family in person, by telephone, and on the internet. But most importantly, she enjoyed being a grandma.

The surviving relatives include her two brothers: Don and Jim Herron, both of Churubusco; her children: Jim (Shelly) Speakman Jr., Churubusco; Cindi Speakman, Van Wert, Ohio; Patti Shain, Harlan; Kenny (Wendy) Speakman, Fort Wayne; David (Richard) Speakman, Mountain View, Calif.; and Pam (John Parks) Speakman, Fort Wayne; grandchildren: Michael and Aaron Speakman, Churubusco; Christine (Carter) Green; and Matt Carter, both of Fort Wayne; Justin Winger; Britney Carter, Van Wert, Ohio; William; Megan; and Melissa Shain, of Harlan; Brandon and Aiden Speakman, Fort Wayne; and Hayley Speakman; Samantha; and Bradyn Livingston, Fort Wayne; four great-grandchildren; two former sons-in-law: Larry Carter, Churubusco; and David Livingston, New Haven; and her two “adopted” kids: Daniel J. Quintero, Fort Wayne; and Michele Peacock, Charlotte, N.C.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son-in-law: William Shain, Sr.; and by her sister-in-law: Gail (Stoops) Herron.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, at Cornerstone Wesleyan Church, with Pastor George Cecil, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the Sheets and Childs Funeral Home from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, or one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, at a later date.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Cornerstone Wesleyan Church.

To leave an online condolence for the family, log on to www.sheetsandchilds.net.