Samuel L. Pritchard, 77, of Columbia City, died at 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at his home.
He was born July 18, 1932 in Columbia City, Indiana a son of Carl and Esther L. (James) Pritchard. He was educated at West Ward Grade School, graduated from Columbia City High School in 1950 and continued his education at Manchester College.
On November 16, 1956 he entered the United States Air Force. He played trombone in the Air Force Band. He was honorably discharged December 11, 1960.
Following his discharge, he returned to Manchester College and completed his degree in accounting from Ball State in 1959.
In April 1961 he married Norma K. Nichols. They made their home in Sacramento, California and later El Dorado Hills, California. Mrs. Pritchard died in November 1996. He returned to Columbia City in June 2005.
He was an accountant in Evanston, Illinois for many years and retired from AeroJet in 1993. He also volunteered at Sierra Adoption Agency in California.
Surviving relatives include a sister, Mary Ellen (Larry) Wilkinson of Pierceton; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Joan Kelsey.
The memorial service will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, October 24th at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley with the family receiving friends after 10:30 Saturday at the funeral home. The burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Whitley County.