Samuel Francis Mead, age 84, of Friendship, Wisconsin died Sunday, August 28, 2005 at his home following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Memorial services will be held at a later date in Lake Andes, South Dakota and Mesa, Arizona.

Sam was born July 9, 1921 in Mansbridge, South Dakota to William and Mary (Kellogg) Mead. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the Army in the European Theater of Battle. Sam married Leona Gasper in 1942. He retired as a Superintendent of the Northwestern Public Service Electric Co-op in April of 1983.

Sam met and married Belva M. Parr on December 23, 1993 in Mesa, AZ. After living in South Dakota for three years, they wintered in Arizona and spent summers in Adams-Friendship area.

Sam loved fishing, golf, pool, electronics, playing cards, playing guitar and singing in the Sunlife Park Band in Arizona.

Sam was a member and former commander of VFW Post 3239, President of the Chamber of Commerce in Lake Andes, Secretary/Treasurer of the Lakers Club, member of the Lake Andes Fire Department for 15 years, and Elder of the Presbyterian Church.